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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


tenuous

adjective

Definition: 1. weak and unconvincing; 2. easily broken down because of weakness or lack of substance; 3. thin in form, texture, or consisency

Synonyms: weak, frail, insubstantial, unconvincing, dubious, delicate, fragile, questionable, thin, slender, fine, insignificant, half-hearted, diluted

Antonyms: substantial, strong, powerful, sturdy

Tips: Tenuous is commonly used to describe a weak argument or idea with shaky support. Tenuous is also used to describe a situation that is fragile and could break at any moment. In general, tenuous refers to anything week or flimsy that could easily come undone: tenuous construction, tenuous argument, a tenuous grip.

Usage Examples:

The relationship between the scientist's research data and his claims is tenuous, at best. (unconvincing, questionable)

We have a tenuous relationship with our client right now, and I fear he may fire us if we have another mishap. (weak, delicate, fragile)

Their tenuous arguments caused everyone to think that they just enjoyed conflict. (insignificant, half-hearted)

His responses to the questions demonstrated that he had a tenuous understanding of the issues and was not the right person to interview about the subject at hand. (insubstantial, dubious, weak)


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