pertinacious

Thân thiện

A scientist remains pertinacious in her long-term research.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion; stubbornly persistent. This word describes a quality of unwavering, and often obstinate, determination.

Usage and Examples

The adjective "pertinacious" is a formal term used to describe a person or their attitude, effort, or adherence to an idea. It often carries a slightly negative connotation of being unreasonably stubborn.

• Describing a person's nature:

  • He was a pertinacious investigator, refusing to give up on the case even after years with no new leads.
  • Her pertinacious optimism in the face of constant setbacks was both admirable and frustrating to her colleagues.

• Describing an effort or pursuit:

  • The lawyer mounted a pertinacious defense, challenging every piece of evidence.
  • Through pertinacious effort, she finally mastered the complex technique.

• Describing adherence to a belief:

  • He was pertinacious in his belief that the project would succeed, despite all financial forecasts suggesting otherwise.

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• Connotation: While similar to "persistent" or "tenacious," "pertinacious" more strongly implies an obstinate or dogged quality that can be seen as annoying or unreasonable. It suggests holding on firmly.
• Formality: It is a literary or formal word, more likely found in writing than in everyday conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Pertinaciously (adverb): In a stubbornly persistent manner.
  • He argued pertinaciously for his preferred policy.
• Pertinacity (noun): The quality of being pertinacious; stubborn persistence.
  • Her pertinacity eventually wore down the opposition.

Synonyms

• Tenacious: Clinging tightly to something. (Often more neutral or positive than "pertinacious.")
• Dogged: Having stubborn persistence.
• Persistent: Continuing firmly in a course of action.
• Obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion.
• Stubborn: Unreasonably unyielding.

Antonyms

• Yielding
• Compliant
• Tractable
• Irresolute

Học thuật

Adjective

1. stubbornly unyielding
   • dogged persistence
   • dour determination
   • the most vocal and pertinacious of all the critics
   • a mind not gifted to discover truth but tenacious to hold it- T.S.Eliot
   • men tenacious of opinion

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dogged
• dour
• persistent
• tenacious
• unyielding