Definition of hardihoodnext
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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
  • Like a plant that breaks through the imperviousness of brick, its roots prowling the dark, the vigor of its leaves imposing a new landscape, this story reaches for the sun.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Though these are all very classic notes, My Hero Academia hits them with convincing vigor and a lot of heart.
    Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • California — and America — now desperately need the courage for another moral intervention.
    Tom Debley, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • Hamer signed up and, through her courage, charisma, and oratory, quickly drew ardent disciples and ruthless adversaries.
    Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Liu said the network will eventually be opened to sectors including industrial manufacturing, energy, power, and the low-altitude economy.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
  • Consolidating its advantage in frontier AI will require solving the energy bottlenecks that currently constrain compute capacity.
    Eric Schmidt, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Because the engine to pay for heroism has become heroic in its own right — endlessly inventive, strategically brilliant, and almost entirely disconnected from the patient whose name appears at the top of the page.
    Darshak Sanghavi, STAT, 3 June 2026
  • For Dudamel, orchestral exuberance equals heroism.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • City leaders commended the bravery of the emergency personnel who performed the search during large surf, powerful currents and limited underwater visibility.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • That same bravery is evident when dealing with crowded penalty-box situations.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • The second admirable character trait on Art’s list is courageousness, to stand up for what needs to be said or done, and especially to put the best interest of an organization—or the country—ahead of any personal gain.
    Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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