HARDIHOOD Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hardihood

noun

ˈhär-dē-ˌhu̇d

Definition of hardihood

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardihood

Noun

To prepare to lead in these areas, CISOs must approach AI readiness with the same vigor and care as AI adoption, building the skills, judgment and development opportunities employees need to govern AI effectively.

— Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
As Doo-sik, Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo is delivering the show’s defining performance with such vigor and charisma that Stone’s hand is, whether intentionally or not, tipped.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of vigor

Noun

The future will not be shaped only by the power of our technology or our weapons, but by the quality of our conversations—and the courage of the choices that follow.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
But, beyond the wall-to-wall coverage and sensational headlines, is a story about the incredible courage, devotion, and strength that Natalee’s mother, Beth, showed in the face of unimaginable loss.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

But fear not, Lisa will be channeling that energy into her art.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
It was deemed Biden’s signature climate law, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for tax credits and programs to bolster the clean energy sector (much of that funding was repealed by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act).

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of energy

Noun

Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.

— Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Through much of the novel, Fee will attempt to make his own story one of such comic-book heroism, to take on the mantle of savior.

— Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of heroism

Noun

What readers are saying The conversation explores the personal journey of the author in managing OCD, with many participants expressing admiration for the author's self-awareness and bravery in seeking help.

— Eva Jaber, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Accounts of her bravery move the country, money and compensation flood in, and her family is suddenly in the spotlight.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

In World Cup lore, however, his gallantry is doomed to be overshadowed by that of his fellow-goalkeeper from Cabo Verde, Vozinha, who had already produced an uncanny impersonation of a brick wall on the fourth day of the tournament.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
In all of these cases, the effect is largely the same—forging intimacy through some level of generosity or gallantry, coupled with pure, physical proximity—and in 2026, all of them are still technically possible.

— Sara Delgado, Vogue, 9 July 2026

Definition of gallantry

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hard-heartedness

hardihood

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“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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