pertinacious
1
9.8
- adjective
- /ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/
- Formal
:
tenaz
- He hated the idea that the nigras were free; he hated what he called their uppity, pertinacious ways.
Examples
-
When the environment wins over the economy, it will invariably generate pertinacious conflict.
Academic text (2011) -
"The assassins are pertinacious, but we shall outwit them, one way or another."
Fiction book (1993) -
And Dale here is one hell of a pertinacious individual.
-
The pertinacious army of God against the army of the evil Serpent.
Blog text (27) -
Pertinacious.
-
What terrible and wonderful forces brought these stones to this place, importing these tiny, pertinacious flowers from Labrador?
Fiction book (1999) -
For work that requires long training or regular, pertinacious application, the dissolute, unsteady, drunken Irishman is on too low a plane.
Blog text (23) -
To think that this melancholy, so pertinacious, should have been diffused by something as simple as a piece of fruit—unthinkable, but paradoxically true.
Fiction book (1996) -
When we compare the gamecock, so pertinacious in battle, with other breeds that are so little quarrelsome, with 'everlasting layers' that never desire to sit, and with the bantam, which is so small and elegant,
Academic text (2005) -
She is known for her pertinacious determination to achieve her goals, never giving up despite setbacks.
Synonyms
217
2.9
Not willing to change your mind even when others try to persuade you
43
4.4
Continuing with an action despite problems or opposition
30
5.6
Loyal and firm in support that does not change
22
7.1
Continuing to try to reach a goal and not giving up easily
16
7.5
Refusing to change your opinion or behavior even when others try to persuade you
10
6.5
Very firm in decisions and not willing to change or give up
8
8.1
Not willing to change views or agree with others
3
8.8
A person who refuses to change their opinion or behaviour even when others try to persuade them
1
4.7
Being very determined and refusing to give up
Being stubborn about your own beliefs and refusing other views
Antonyms
How Persistent
Surface Forms
Morphology
pertinacious = pertinac + ious
The word is historically built on the Latin stem pertinac- plus the adjectival suffix -ious, but the stem is not a productive modern English base, so the meaning is not readily inferable for learners.
Etymology
The word pertinacious comes from Latin parts per- 'thoroughly' and tenax 'holding fast', the same root as tenacious. So a pertinacious person holds on to an idea or plan very firmly and does not give up.