The word tenuous describes something that is weak, fragile, or lacking in strength or substance. It is often used to refer to connections, relationships, or arguments that are not solid or convincing. When something is tenuous, it is barely existent or difficult to hold onto, either physically, emotionally, or logically. It conveys a sense of fragility or uncertainty, where things may easily break, fall apart, or be questioned. In Indonesian, “rapuh” or “lemah” can express the meaning of tenuous, especially when referring to weak links or arguments.
Synonyms:
- Weak
- Fragile
- Fragile
- Insignificant
- Thin
- Slim
- Uncertain
- Delicate
- Minor
- Feeble
Example Sentences:
- His argument was tenuous at best, relying on assumptions rather than solid evidence.
- The tenuous relationship between the two countries was strained by political disagreements.
- The link between the two incidents seemed tenuous, with no clear connection between them.
- There was a tenuous connection between the two pieces of evidence, but nothing concrete to support a conclusion.
- The rope was tenuous, barely able to hold the weight of the climber.
- The trust they had built was tenuous, always hanging by a thread after their argument.
- Their hold on the land was tenuous, with neighboring countries eyeing the same territory.
- The company’s financial situation was tenuous, and they were barely staying afloat.
- The evidence for her theory was tenuous, and many experts were skeptical.
- The hope of reconciliation seemed tenuous, as both sides were unwilling to compromise.
Related Words:
- Weak
- Fragile
- Insignificant
- Unstable
- Delicate
- Uncertain
- Feeble
- Slender
- Slight
- Shaky
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Hang by a thread (to be in a very tenuous or unstable situation)
- Hold on by a string (to barely maintain a position, much like a tenuous grasp)
- Tie up loose ends (to try to resolve small, tenuous connections or unresolved matters)
- Fall apart (to deteriorate or break down, often due to a tenuous foundation)
- Weaken the bond (to reduce the strength or tenuous nature of a relationship or connection)
- Stretch thin (to overextend something, making it tenuous or fragile)
- Push to the limit (to test something to the point where it becomes tenuous or unstable)
- Hold off (to delay, making a tenuous situation even more uncertain)
- Draw a fine line (to make a subtle or tenuous distinction between two things)
- Teeter on the edge (to be in a tenuous or unstable situation, especially when close to collapse)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- A house of cards (something that is easily collapsed, much like a tenuous situation)
- At a breaking point (a situation that is fragile or tenuous and may soon collapse)
- Walking on thin ice (to be in a risky or tenuous position that could fail at any moment)
- Hanging by a thread (to be in a tenuous position, with little strength or stability)
- Barely hanging on (to remain in a tenuous situation where failure is imminent)
- A fragile truce (a peace agreement or situation that is tenuous and may not last)
- On shaky ground (to be in an uncertain or tenuous position)
- A fine line (a very slight and tenuous difference between two things)
- Treading water (to remain in a tenuous state of uncertainty or stagnation)
- At the end of one’s rope (to be in a tenuous situation with no clear way out)
Something that is tenuous suggests uncertainty, frailty, and the potential for failure or collapse. Whether referring to an argument, a relationship, or a physical structure, the term conveys vulnerability and weakness. In many cases, tenuous situations require careful management and attention, as they may easily deteriorate or be disrupted by external forces.
