pertinacious

/ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs/

Group 6Difficulty 3/3

Definition

(adjective)
Holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action; stubbornly persistent
GRE

Example in Context

The pertinacious lobbyist continued to press for the amendment long after most observers had written it off as politically impossible.

Synonyms

persistenttenaciousdogged

Etymology

Holding firmly, often stubbornly, to one’s beliefs.

  • pertinax (Latin) — stubborn

Memory Aid

🐴Sounds like “pert-neigh-shus

The PERT NEIGH SHUS horse wouldn’t leave the barn until it got its way!

Visual Association

🦙A llama refusing to budge from its favorite spot, despite everyone else leaving.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pertinacious” mean on the GRE?

pertinacious (adjective) means “Holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action; stubbornly persistent”. The pertinacious lobbyist continued to press for the amendment long after most observers had written it off as politically impossible.

How to remember “pertinacious” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “pertinacious” sounds like “pert-neigh-shus”. The PERT NEIGH SHUS horse wouldn’t leave the barn until it got its way!

What are synonyms for “pertinacious”?

Common synonyms: persistent, tenacious, dogged.