tenuous Definition
tenu·ous (ten′yo̵̅o̅ əs, -yə wəs)
tenuous Related Forms
ten′u·ously adverb
ten′u·ous·ness noun
tenuous Synonyms
tenuous
modif.
tenuous Usage Examples
Adjective complement with noun phrase
make: The small number of complete vessels known would make any conclusions extremely tenuous.
Infinitive complement
say: The evidence against Tucker is tenuous to say the least.
Modifies a noun
- grasp: Children sometimes have a tenuous grasp of where food comes from, for example the belief that ' chips come from London ' .
- grip: The Imperial Guard and Space Marines are in constant battle to maintain mankind's tenuous grip on survival.
- connection: Some - eg Fred Hoyle - have rather a tenuous connection with our routes.
- link: Even Tony has a tenuous link to Enron I think we would be left with Martin Bell.
- thread: Historical events often come about with a large dose of fluke and a tenuous thread of intention.
- atmosphere: Callisto has a very tenuous atmosphere composed of carbon dioxide.
Modifying Another Word
- somewhat: But, as research analyst Michael Wall points out, the link is somewhat tenuous anyway.
- however: Everyone else is jumping on the World Cup bandwagon, however tenuous their product link is with football.
- rather: Everyone also thought the father, who was a rather tenuous figure, was not fleshed out to any extent.
- increasingly: Charles Clarke's hold on office looks increasingly tenuous.
- fairly: In reality they are usually linked even when the links are fairly tenuous.
- extremely: The small number of complete vessels known would make any conclusions extremely tenuous.
Used with adjective complement
- seem: Here the claimed relationship and rights seem very tenuous.
- remain: But the link between lead and gout remains tenuous.
- become: He felt his grip on reality was becoming increasingly tenuous.
- look: Charles Clarke's hold on office looks increasingly tenuous.
- get: And there are many more, although some possible allegorical meanings may get very tenuous.
- render: Now most means of modern life support have been destroyed or rendered tenuous.
Browse dictionary entries near tenuous
- ‹ tenuity
- ‹ tenuis
- ‹ tenth
- ‹ tenterhook
- ‹ tenter
- ‹ tented
- ‹ tentatively
- ‹ tentative
- ‹ tentacle
- ‹ tent stitch

