Synonyms of hardihood

hardihood

noun

ˈhär-dē-ˌhu̇d 

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

• vigor
• energy
• strength
• stamina
• zeal
• life
• dynamism
• spirit
• vitality
• juice
• gas
• verve
• pep
• get-up-and-go
• dash
• brio
• gusto
• drive
• moxie
• power
• vim
• punch
• esprit
• starch
• bounce
• ginger
• vinegar
• muscle
• oomph
• zing
• zip
• beans
• vivacity
• sap
• passion
• go
• soundness
• sprightliness
• briskness
• spiritedness
• jauntiness
• liveliness
• fire
• fervor
• élan
• ardor
• fitness
• spunk
• snap
• hardiness
• vibrancy
• mettle
• animation
• virility
• potency
• might
• animal spirits
• vivaciousness
• spunkiness
• health
• puissance
• sturdiness
• huskiness
• vibrance
• metal
• healthiness
• snappiness
• verdure
• wellness
• brawniness
• main

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lethargy
• indolence
• sluggishness
• listlessness
• tenderness
• laziness
• weakness
• feebleness
• softness
• infirmity
• torpidity
• impotence
• debility
• frailty
• delicacy
• faintness
• powerlessness
• impotency
• exhaustion
• debilitation
• disablement
• enfeeblement
• inanition
• prostration
• slightness
• frailness
• puniness
• enervation

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

• courage
• heroism
• bravery
• gallantry
• courageousness
• prowess
• nerve
• daring
• valor
• intrepidity
• fearlessness
• stoutness
• virtue
• dauntlessness
• intrepidness
• guts
• heart
• gutsiness
• daringness
• fortitude
• pecker
• gumption
• moxie
• stamina
• determination
• intestinal fortitude
• mettle
• grit
• greatheartedness
• perseverance
• endurance
• bottle
• temper
• tenacity
• spunk
• doughtiness
• audacity
• pluck
• boldness
• backbone
• temerity
• effrontery
• resolution
• fiber
• pluckiness
• gall
• stomach
• brazenness
• cojones
• cheek

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cowardice
• timidity
• cowardliness
• fearfulness
• feebleness
• timorousness
• spinelessness
• faintheartedness
• softness
• weakness
• cold feet
• cravenness
• impotence
• dastardliness
• poltroonery
• hesitation
• irresolution
• ineffectualness
• indecision
• mousiness
• indecisiveness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hardihood different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of hardihood are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When is audacity a more appropriate choice than hardihood?

The words audacity and hardihood are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might effrontery be a better fit than hardihood?

The words effrontery and hardihood can be used in similar contexts, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for hardihood?

Nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Where would temerity be a reasonable alternative to hardihood?

In some situations, the words temerity and hardihood are roughly equivalent. However, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

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