spirit 1 of 2

Definition of spiritnext
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power the theological and philosophical belief that the spirit is superior to the body

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

spirit

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word spirit distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of spirit are courage, mettle, resolution, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

When might courage be a better fit than spirit?

While the synonyms courage and spirit are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could mettle be used to replace spirit?

The words mettle and spirit can be used in similar contexts, but mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

In what contexts can resolution take the place of spirit?

Although the words resolution and spirit have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of spirit?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

How is the word spirit distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of spirit are courage, mettle, resolution, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

When might courage be a better fit than spirit?

While the synonyms courage and spirit are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could mettle be used to replace spirit?

The words mettle and spirit can be used in similar contexts, but mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

In what contexts can resolution take the place of spirit?

Although the words resolution and spirit have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of spirit?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spirit
Noun
Pluto is in your sign, infusing your spirit with intense, heady power. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2026 The vice president of the Gardner PTA, Oralia Rodriguez, even brought ice cream to campus in an effort to lift spirits. Da Lin, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Em embodies that spirit perfectly. Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Residents, businesses and fans are invited to show their team spirit through generosity. Jake Allen, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spirit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirit
Noun
  • One Baha’i tenet, that the soul begins with the formation of the embryo, led to controversy.
    Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • After spending the better part of five years releasing songs that mined the darkest corners of his soul and his Alabama roots, A Heavy Duty Heart brings a heavy dose of hope to Farley’s collection.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • On top of the aforementioned campaign, solo players can also enjoy customizable AI battles in a traditional Skirmish mode.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Four bounces and a roll later, Cink, who couldn’t see the pin’s bottom, went into his albatross celebration mode.
    Jay Paris, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • When Wei’s Cantonese left its Meridian ghost-kitchen building and paused business — vowing to seek another location later — fans were understandably disappointed.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Listen to the full episode to hear about the ghost-hunting groups that rose up to fight them, and how ghost hoaxing was the precursor to that terrifying scary clown trend from 2016.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Two men have been indicted on federal charges of possessing guns in a school zone, though the case stems from a shootout across the street from an elementary school, in a liquor store parking lot, court records show.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Cannabis lounges are prohibited from selling beer, wine and liquor, and restaurants and bars serving alcohol are prohibited from selling marijuana products.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Someone had stashed a film camera in an apartment high above the plaza, capturing a scene of rowdy onlookers feasting on sausage sandwiches and uncorking bottles of wine as—after a series of delays—the blade dropped on Weidmann’s nape.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Those ball-tracking cameras capture up to 300 frames per second, allowing the system to precisely locate each pitch within the strike zone and reconstruct its path.
    Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Juliet is arguing that Romeo’s name is merely a label that does not define his essence.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But the soul and spirit of [the films and] the essence of the themes of those films, and the kids and all the artisans and the crafts people.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In a high-rise, that kind of continuous great-room footprint can matter as much as the finishes —especially when the view is expected to carry the mood of the space.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Floorboards and beige walls didn’t do much to set the mood, but they were beautifully accompanied by period furniture and lamps, that kept the post-war vibe the rest of the hotel basks in.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Acosta’s bright shapes could be seen as apparitions of a sort.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
  • For example, the apparition of his first wife, Grace Shelby (Annabelle Wallis), appeared a handful times in season five.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirit. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on spirit

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster