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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Recent Examples of tenuous
The one thing that is true in this executive order is that as a nation, our energy policy is moving the country in an unsustainable and tenuous direction, but not because of renewables or the actions of the last administration.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In contrast to Hurley’s increasingly tenuous status, Smith’s seat is clearly cooling.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Spain’s budding star system is admittedly a tenuous structure requiring that demand from streaming platforms remains high and that the government continues to invest in both the creation and promotion of Spanish cinema, as well as the marketing of Spain as a location for international shoots.
—Jennifer Green, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
What makes tarot so beguiling – and so relevant in the present – is the tenuous connection of the future to the past.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenuous
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
In contrast to Hurley’s increasingly tenuous status, Smith’s seat is clearly cooling.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Spain’s budding star system is admittedly a tenuous structure requiring that demand from streaming platforms remains high and that the government continues to invest in both the creation and promotion of Spanish cinema, as well as the marketing of Spain as a location for international shoots.
—Jennifer Green, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
What makes tarot so beguiling – and so relevant in the present – is the tenuous connection of the future to the past.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenuous
Cite this Entry
“Tenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenuous. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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