TENUOUS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'tenuous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tenuous are slender , slight , slim , and thin . While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

Q: Where would 'slender' be a reasonable alternative to 'tenuous'?

The meanings of slender and tenuous largely overlap; however, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: When could 'slight' be used to replace 'tenuous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenuous , slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When is 'slim' a more appropriate choice than 'tenuous'?

The synonyms slim and tenuous are sometimes interchangeable, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: In what contexts can 'thin' take the place of 'tenuous'?

The words thin and tenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance. // thin wire // a thin soup

tenuous

adjective

Definition of tenuous next

as in fragile

lacking strength, permanence, or resilience The countries formed a tenuous political alliance. The moon has a tenuous atmosphere that frequently fluctuates in thickness.

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How does the adjective tenuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tenuous are slender, slight, slim, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Where would slender be a reasonable alternative to tenuous?

The meanings of slender and tenuous largely overlap; however, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When could slight be used to replace tenuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenuous, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slim a more appropriate choice than tenuous?

The synonyms slim and tenuous are sometimes interchangeable, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

In what contexts can thin take the place of tenuous?

The words thin and tenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire

a thin soup

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tenuous Sacramento now trails the No. 9 Dallas Mavericks by 1 ½ games with a tenuous one-game lead over the No. 11 Phoenix Suns. —

Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025 The logic behind the Bieber comparison was tenuous at best. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025 The situation nonetheless is very tenuous and could take a turn for the worse. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 Since touching down in Madrid, links to other teams have been tenuous. —

Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenuous

Adjective

Fiber optic cable, in my opinion, is more fragile than traditional solid-copper coaxial cable.

— Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Even in the best of times, long-term observations can be very fragile.

— Eric Morgan, Wired News, 10 May 2025

Definition of fragile

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tenty

tenuous

tenure

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“Tenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenuous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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Last Updated: 22 May 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of tenuous

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More from Merriam-Webster on tenuous

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Can you solve 4 words at once?

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