What is the difference between tenuous and fragile?

What is the difference between tenuous and weak?

How do I use tenuous in a sentence?

← Dictionary

tenuous

/ˈtenju.əs/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Not strong or firmly based; easily broken or lost.

The tenuous case relied on a single unclear witness.
She kept a tenuous grip on the wet rock.
There is a tenuous link between the two events.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: tenuous is less intense than fragile or weak and suits delicate situations rather than severe damage. It often describes abstract ties or beliefs, while fragile suits objects. Choose tenuous when the connection or support is subtle and could fail.

In other languages

Spanish: tenso, débil
Japanese: 薄っぺらな、脆弱な
Korean: 허약한, 세밀한
Vietnamese: mong manh, mong yếu
Chinese: 微弱的、脆弱的

Common phrases

tenuous evidencetenuous linktenuous holdon tenuous ground

Synonyms

slight thin scant frail minimal

Related words

evidence fragile weak delicate subtle

Frequently asked questions

Is tenuous formal or informal?: Is tenuous formal or informal?
What is the difference between tenuous and fragile?: What is the difference between tenuous and fragile?
What is the difference between tenuous and weak?: What is the difference between tenuous and weak?
How do I use tenuous in a sentence?: How do I use tenuous in a sentence?