Tenuous
Having little substance or strength; not well grounded or supported; thin or flimsy.
adjectiveTenuous
Having little substance or strength; not well grounded or supported; thin or flimsy.
adjectiveImagine This
Picture a single frayed thread connecting two outcomes: a loose rope line strung between two cliffs. The thread is narrow and barely capable of supporting weight; any tug could snap it, making the connection tenuous.
Sounds Like
TEN-yoo-uhs
Looks Like
thin, delicate, slender
Remember This
Tenuous indicates weak support or lack of firm grounding. It often describes evidence, arguments, or connections, not physical thickness alone.
Other Forms
Connect With
fragile, insubstantial, weak, shaky, precarious, dubious
Note
Contrast with tenable (able to be defended or justified). A tenuous argument is not tenable. Also note pronunciation: TEN-yoo-uhs.
Study Deeper
- The scientist's theory remained tenuous until further experiments confirmed the results.
- The bridge's support was tenuous, leading engineers to halt traffic across it.
From Latin tenuis 'thin, slender' + suffix -ous; the root tenu- means thin or narrow.
Mnemonic: Ten tiny U-shaped threads hold a bead—tenuous means thin or weakly held.
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adjectiveDifficult to understand or interpret; not readily understood or interpreted.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Dubious
adjectiveDoubtful or questionable; not to be trusted or believed without further evidence; suspicious in nature or origin.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
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adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
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adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
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adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
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adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.