pertinacity
- noun
- /ˌpɜːrtəˈnæsɪti/
- Formal
:
pertenacia
- The student's pertinacity in preparing for the exam showed her determination to succeed.
Examples
-
Perhaps due to his Turkish origins, he had the great defect of clinging to his own conceptions, his pertinacity, and his condescension toward Egyptians.
Fiction book (2001) -
The experiments led to trouble in the home; the greased paper blazed, and my theatres went up with the regularity of medieval towns, but with medieval pertinacity, I went on.
Fiction book (1990) -
Doubtless, my words surprised Henry; he at first believed them to be the wanderings of my disturbed imagination, but the pertinacity with which I continually recurred to the same subject persuaded him that my disorder indeed owed its origin to some uncommon and terrible event.
Fiction book (2002) -
Apparently he started keeping his journal and his lists (reading, girls, football) early on, and one American two years older than Miller (and eight years younger than Donald Keene) is soon dazed by the pertinacity of Miller's docketing impulse, even when exemplified by a mentor at the end of the line:
Academic text (1994) -
Despite the many obstacles she faced, her pertinacity eventually led to a successful outcome.
-
His pertinacity in pursuing the project impressed everyone at the company.
Synonyms
142
3.0
Being firm and not giving up when trying to reach a goal
52
4.1
Continuing to try despite problems or opposition
42
4.1
Continuing to try hard when things are difficult or take a long time
31
6.0
Not giving up when things are hard
21
3.6
Refusing to change your mind or actions even when there are good reasons
19
5.0
Being able to keep working well for a long time
5
3.5
Being steady and determined in words and actions
4
5.9
Loyalty that stays strong in hard times
3
7.6
Refusing to change your mind or actions even when others ask you to
2
7.5
A quality of not stopping, often showing harsh or strong action
1
6.5
A strong will to keep trying despite difficulties
1
6.0
The quality of staying very determined and not changing your mind when things are difficult
1
7.9
Being stubborn and refusing to change your mind
1
9.4
A strong will to keep trying and not be defeated
1
9.9
Not getting tired and continuing to work very hard
1
5.1
Bravery and determination in difficult situations
A strong will to keep trying and not give up
Strong determination to reach a goal and not give up
The ability to keep working without getting tired
Continuing to try and not giving up when things are difficult
Being willing to work hard and stay loyal to a person, job, or cause
A careful and constant way of working that keeps attention on a task
Being clear and firm when you choose what to do
Antonyms
How Persistent
Surface Forms
Morphology
pertinacity = pertinacious (semi-transparent) = pertinac + ity
A regular noun formed from the adjective 'pertinacious' with the productive suffix '-ity', making the morphological step clear.
Etymology
Pertinacity comes from Latin parts per- meaning 'completely' and tenax meaning 'holding', and you can see the same root in words like tenacious and tenant. So, pertinacity is like 'holding on completely' — a strong, stubborn determination that refuses to give up.