Tenuous Meaning in English
word
Definition
Something tenuous is weak, thin, or not certain; it is easily broken, changed, or lost. It can refer to physical things (very thin) or to abstract things like ideas, relationships, or connections.
Usage & Nuances
'Tenuous' is formal/academic and used for weak or uncertain situations, ideas, connections. Common collocations include 'tenuous link', 'tenuous relationship', 'tenuous argument'. Do not use 'tenuous' for physically strong or obvious things.
Example Sentences
The evidence for his story is very tenuous.
basic
Our connection is pretty tenuous after so many years apart.
basic
She made a tenuous argument in the debate.
basic
There's only a tenuous link between the two events.
natural
His hope of getting the job was tenuous at best.
natural
The team's lead was tenuous and could disappear at any moment.
natural