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
And though preseason predictions pegged Marty Supreme as Gwyneth Paltrow’s big Oscar comeback, Odessa A’zion’s performance as a girlfriend with gumption has usurped the Goopster’s buzz.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Wall Street observers admire Paramount Skydance’s new gumption, but also recognize some of its assets face strong, ongoing challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, opponents of zero-defect culture question whether officers who survive in today’s system have the gumption and risk-taking instincts to win the next big war.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Fitzgerald’s gumption as a deep field-goal kicker was tested with the Panthers up, 7-0, and having all the momentum.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Wall Street observers admire Paramount Skydance’s new gumption, but also recognize some of its assets face strong, ongoing challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, opponents of zero-defect culture question whether officers who survive in today’s system have the gumption and risk-taking instincts to win the next big war.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Fitzgerald’s gumption as a deep field-goal kicker was tested with the Panthers up, 7-0, and having all the momentum.
—Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumption
Noun
-
Austria retained possession of Venetia, and prudence dictated to the delegates at the Congress of Vienna that continued Austrian predominance in Italy should guarantee the peninsula against French influence.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
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The two big investments in their front seven — particularly Phillips’ whopping four-year, $120 million deal — also meant the Panthers would have to exercise financial prudence with their other additions, at least one of which was a head-scratcher.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For now, Buchanon is just focused on learning the scheme, his teammates and trying to impart some wisdom on the Horned Frogs’ younger offensive linemen.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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As her mother, Linda Emond's Susan gets only a few moments to shine — and milks every single one for all its worth, doling out wince-worthy advice rooted in real (if outdated) wisdom, as many mothers do.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The story is something of a palimpsest, with Romvari’s own perspective intertwining with the character’s and conveying a sense of being both inside and outside the action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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What’s left is a false sense of urgency that will lead to a budget finalized mostly in the dark, with too many decisions made by staffers and lobbyists.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Feelings of romance and wit and subversiveness are as important to her as the political background of her story.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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It’s been a quarter century since the mostly Canadian supergroup New Pornographers sprang from the florid imagination of Carl Newman, a pop savant with an angel’s voice and switchblade wit.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumption. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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