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

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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

His ideas were too radical even for many of our Founding Fathers, but the vigor of his writing and the clarity of his thinking were as a spark to gunpowder, and that was coming, too.

— Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Dividing clumps every few years in early spring also maintains their vigor.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Definition of vigor

Noun

At their best, natural leaders with the courage to take on what others won’t.

— Christina Pérez, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Its concluding images emphasise a clichéd concept of motherhood, as though to put a neat bow on what was in fact a more complex story of trust, patience and everyday courage.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026

Definition of courage

Noun

Wisconsin has committed up to $55 million in incentives to help Realta Fusion build its new headquarters and fusion research facility in Madison, a move aimed at strengthening the state’s position in the emerging fusion energy industry.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Sixty-eight percent of likely voters told PPIC the cost of energy — both in utility bills and the price of gasoline at the pump — were a big problem.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of energy

Noun

The revolutionary leaders proved their character with sacrifice and bravery.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Without their bravery and will to stand up to England, the most powerful military force in history up to that time, and fight for their right to be free, our United States of America would be a much different place.

— Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

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
During the reception, Princess Kate shared an emotional moment with Tony Gledhill, a former Metropolitan Police officer who received the George Cross for gallantry in 1966.

— Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

Definition of gallantry

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hard-heartedness

hardihood

hardily

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“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hardihood

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