Tenuous
One witness, a blurry photograph, and a guess do not make a strong case. When the evidence barely holds a claim together, this adjective names the weakness.
Learn This WordMeaning
Weak, slight, or barely supported; having little substance or strength.
Memory trick
Picture a thin thread barely holding two objects together. Tenuous comes from a word meaning thin: the support is there, but it barely holds.
Examples
The link stays tenuous.
With only one anonymous account to support it, the claim rested on tenuous evidence.
Their tenuous agreement survived the meeting but fell apart when costs were discussed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin tenuis "thin, slender, slight," with the adjective ending -ous.
Usage Notes
Often describes evidence, arguments, connections, and agreements that barely hold together. In SAT reading, thin support or a weak connection can make tenuous the right description; check how strongly the evidence supports the claim.
Real-life contexts
Question a connection: "The link between those two events seems tenuous."
Discuss evidence: "That is a tenuous basis for such a strong claim."
Describe uncertainty: "We have a tenuous agreement, not a signed deal."
Common Mistakes
Do not confuse tenuous with tenacious, which means holding firmly. Tenuous support is weak, not necessarily nonexistent or proven false.
Master This Word
Add "tenuous" to your vocabulary and practice with AI & smart flashcards!
Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
advancedRelated Words
Substantial
Of considerable importance, size, or worth; strongly built or made; concerning the essentials of something.
Ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning or unclear significance.
Arbitrary
Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system; unrestrained in the exercise of power.