1
as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
the 80-year-old grandmother attributes her hardihood to having eaten a cup of yogurt every day for the past 50 years
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
the explorers were driven by an almost reckless hardihood in the face of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardihood
My father had been a leading Mountaineer and would still maintain the general superiority in skill and hardihood of the Above Boys (his own faction) over the Below Boys (so were they called), of which party his contemporary had been a chieftain.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022
There is little question that Reagan, for all his physical hardihood and strength of will, was no longer up to the task of serving a third term beginning in 1989.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 18 Sep. 2020
And yet Andrew Johnson, with unblushing hardihood, undertook to rule them by his own power alone.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Someone died today in Virginia in a racial terrorist attack, and our President had the audacity, the hardihood to continue to hew to the line of dog whistling racist dogma.
—Angela Helm, The Root, 12 Aug. 2017
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022
There is little question that Reagan, for all his physical hardihood and strength of will, was no longer up to the task of serving a third term beginning in 1989.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 18 Sep. 2020
And yet Andrew Johnson, with unblushing hardihood, undertook to rule them by his own power alone.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Someone died today in Virginia in a racial terrorist attack, and our President had the audacity, the hardihood to continue to hew to the line of dog whistling racist dogma.
—Angela Helm, The Root, 12 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardihood
Noun
-
Grass seedlings are tender and need several weeks to gain vigor before frost and freezing temperatures blanket the lawn.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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Though Leo’s lyrics are raw and scribed with vigor and delivered with a backing choir that breaks down into soprano, alto, and tenor vibrato, the track feels too theatric and out of step sonically with the rest of the album.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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At war’s end, the narrative that develops valorizes physical courage, glorifies battlefield heroics, and vilifies hubris.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Bestselling author and researcher Brené Brown talks about courage in this week’s episode of Leadership Next.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Deandre Ayton contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, and while those three provided the offensive spark, the defensive energy from Marcus Smart off the bench and Jarred Vanderbilt proved to be a game-changer, as both players recorded two steals apiece.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Expressing gratitude to these kids for their acts of heroism is not enough.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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Earlier in Clotworthy’s career, he had been cited for heroism for service during a deadly 2018 mudslide in Montecito.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The seven pillars of society—wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth—aren’t just words carved into sacred walls.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Pippa’s bravery and resilience have captured plenty of attention online, as internet users have rallied to support the sweet pup.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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