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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
  • Eian Bain’s squad with Bridgewater-Raynham showed impressive vigor against a state titan in Mansfield before falling on a walk-off field goal (a 24-21 loss).
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • When beating, whip with vigor using a fork instead of a whisk.
    Megan Zhang, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Ironically, the very adaptability and intellectual courage the future demands are often harder to cultivate in today’s college climate.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In an atmosphere of repression and fear, these women discover courage, solidarity, and the power of imagination through the simple transformative act of reading together.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One of the bottlenecks in frequency comb technology has been the high energy required for spectral broadening.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Starting from the questionable proposition that revolutionary movements require energy and that energy in its most basic form is derived from solar rays, Chizhevsky listed some historical developments that lined up with astronomical developments.
    Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But luckily, heroism doesn’t have a hard out.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Based on real-life stories from the Camp Fire (still the deadliest wildfire in California history), The Lost Bus, which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival ahead of a short September theatrical release and an October 3 debut on Apple TV+, offers plenty of suspense and heroism.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • From families torn apart to moments of hope emerging in the face of unspeakable tragedy to incredible bravery against the odds, each episode reveals the human cost and resilience born out of chaos.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
  • These include helping your family, helping your group, demonstrating reciprocity, demonstrating bravery, respecting a hierarchy and your superiors, dividing resources in an equitable way and respecting ownership of property.
    Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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