as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
the company needs a new leader with the gumption and know-how that comes from experience
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Recent Examples of gumption
Because, in the first movie, that line came out of desperation and fear; a very young girl who just had a moment of gumption, and honestly, a killer could have jumped right out of that moment and taken her out.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 July 2025
The critics may be talking tough now, but Thune is betting that some of them won’t have the gumption to block the bill on the Senate floor and risk having Trump’s anger rain down on them through social media.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 June 2025
The move made logical sense but still required some gumption.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Add Lowry to the list of professional golfers who lost in heartbreaking fashion and did not have the gumption to stand up and face the music.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 July 2025
The critics may be talking tough now, but Thune is betting that some of them won’t have the gumption to block the bill on the Senate floor and risk having Trump’s anger rain down on them through social media.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 June 2025
The move made logical sense but still required some gumption.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Add Lowry to the list of professional golfers who lost in heartbreaking fashion and did not have the gumption to stand up and face the music.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumption
Noun
-
But those with long memories are tempering enthusiasm with prudence, remembering how the dot-com bubble led to unsustainable valuations and a painful crash.—
Tiz Gambacorta,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This was a chance for Biden to take the high road, to toe the fiscal line and display financial prudence.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Leadership often comes down to having the wisdom to make the most difficult business choices.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
First, some perspective courtesy of the wisdom and wit of former Chiefs coach Marv Levy.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Your base is the foundation of any makeup look, but in the year 2025, that doesn’t have to include actual foundation—at least not in the traditional sense.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.—
Sandy Anderson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty is about to compete in the annual grueling match of stamina and wits known as the Long Walk.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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But will any of us fans still have our wits by then?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumption. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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