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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
  • The advantage of experience and postseason expertise Golden State enjoyed seems to be trending towards Houston’s vigor and endurance.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Some host plants are herb-sized and easy to fit into snug spaces, while others may be undesirably weedy in vigor.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The book features contributions from leading activists, artists and ordinary citizens, who tell their own stories of breathtaking courage, cultural innovations and acts of resistance.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • My performance tells American stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, and they should be told and appreciated by all.
    Annette Hubbell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Solar thermal setups capture the Sun's heat rather than its light, use reflectors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, and convert solar radiation directly into heat energy.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
  • Duki’s Ameri World Tour, presented by Live Nation, arrived to Miami on Saturday (May 17) — packed with energy, Argentinean pride, and rock star attitude.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • In Spanish, my grandmother read tales from Las Mil y Una Noches—in English, The Thousand and One Nights—bringing the world beyond Leigh Street, Scheherazade's magical world of Central Asian pluck, heroism and ingenuity, into the life of my mother and her siblings.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The song is about the dream of hope, heroism and finding beauty in utter darkness.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The hazardous lives of urban birds: Ian Frazier on the bravery of pigeons living outside the law.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
  • Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Prince William is stepping out with King Charles and Queen Camilla to recognize recipients of the U.K.'s highest honors for gallantry.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025
  • Foster a Climate That Is Inclusive, Not Exclusive There is a back story to Crazy Horse's battlefield gallantry.
    Chip Bell, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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