tenuous (ˈtɛnjʊəs
)
Definitions
adjective
- insignificant or flimsy ⇒
a tenuous argument
- slim, fine, or delicate ⇒
a tenuous thread
- diluted or rarefied in consistency or density ⇒
a tenuous fluid
Alternative Forms
tenuity (tɛˈnjʊɪtɪ) ˈtenuousness noun ˈtenuously adverb Word Origin
C16: from Latin tenuisSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
slight,
weak,
dubious,
shaky,
doubtful,
questionable,
insignificant,
flimsy,
sketchy,
insubstantial,
nebulous,
Usage examples
From time to time Nora would materialize, discreet and tenuous.
, Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories (1993)Physicists had assumed the temperature change would have little effect at the Earth's surface because the upper atmosphere is so tenuous.
New Scientist (1998)"Her ejection from Liberal ranks reduces Martin's tenuous minority in the House of Commons to 134 Liberal seats.
canada.com (2004)A series of tenuous , circumstantial connections raise the possibility that he became tutor in a Catholic household in Lancashire.
Independent (1999)I had gone over our records and realized that our position at K-Mart was tenuous.
, Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)