Synonyms of grit

grit 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrit 

as in courage

the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship

she was an athlete with true grit, continuing her training despite bad weather and an injury

Synonyms & Similar Words

• courage
• fortitude
• bravery
• stamina
• spunk
• grittiness
• determination
• courageousness
• guts
• fiber
• endurance
• pluck
• backbone
• constancy
• nerve
• tolerance
• fearlessness
• resoluteness
• intestinal fortitude
• resolution
• purposefulness
• valor
• gallantry
• daring
• stoutness
• intrepidity
• mettle
• boldness
• brass
• intrepidness
• chutzpah
• forbearance
• audacity
• spirit
• sufferance
• dauntlessness
• temerity
• gall
• effrontery
• heart
• hardihood
• greatheartedness
• doughtiness
• cheek
• nerviness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• spinelessness
• vacillation
• irresolution
• indecisiveness
• timidity
• cowardice
• pusillanimity
• cowardliness
• timorousness
• faintheartedness
• irresoluteness
• cravenness
• dastardliness

grit

2 of 2

verb

as in to scrape

to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound

the crash victim gritted his teeth as a way of coping with the pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrape
• scratch
• grind
• crunch
• grate
• creak
• gnash
• groan
• whine
• scrunch
• moan
• clash
• jar
• rasp
• collide
• jangle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grit

Noun

In the years since grit’s heyday, much of American culture has succumbed to a state of emotional and spiritual defeat. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Fried chicken is not only a symbol of comfort, but also of grit and entrepreneurial spirit. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Then the coach known as the most impulsive man on an NFL sideline runs that stop sign, grits his teeth and breaks unbound into character. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Some combination of Viel, Johnston and Harkins could return on modest deals to add depth and grit to the group. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 10 June 2026