Vocabulary in context
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Tenuous
Having little substance or strength; not well grounded or supported; thin or flimsy.
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Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
TEN-yoo-uhs
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Looks Like
thin, delicate, slender
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Remember This
Tenuous indicates weak support or lack of firm grounding. It often describes evidence, arguments, or connections, not physical thickness alone.
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Other Forms
tenuousadjective
tenuouslyadverb
tenuousnessnoun
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Connect With
fragile, insubstantial, weak, shaky, precarious, dubious
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Note
Contrast with tenable (able to be defended or justified). A tenuous argument is not tenable. Also note pronunciation: TEN-yoo-uhs.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- 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.
Synonyms
fragileinsubstantialweakslightshaky
Antonyms
substantialstrongwell-supported
Etymology
From Latin tenuis 'thin, slender' + suffix -ous; the root tenu- means thin or narrow.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: Ten tiny U-shaped threads hold a bead—tenuous means thin or weakly held.
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Interloper
nounA person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or invited; an intruder or meddler who intrudes on others' affairs.
Inscrutable
adjectiveDifficult to understand or interpret; not readily understood or interpreted.
Lavish
adjectiveDescribing something that is extremely generous, luxurious, or elaborate; given or produced in abundant, often excessive, quantities.
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.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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