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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
  • Severe and repeated cases of scale can cause branches to die and reduce a tree’s overall vigor.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As Zidler, Petkoff portrays with vigor a self-serving weasel, albeit with a heart.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Katz emphasizes Adams’ courage in publishing Lesbian Love.
    Kellie B. Gormly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
  • Some have said his victory gave them the courage to come out to their families and friends, and even to themselves.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Any final decision to close the waterway rests with the country's national security council, and its possibility has raised the specter of higher energy prices and aggravated geopolitical tensions, with Washington calling upon Beijing to prevent the strait's closure.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • Low energy is also frequently reported among folks with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a disorder that causes hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, and other symptoms like excessive hair growth and acne.
    Julia Ries, SELF, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The film starred Harbour as a drunken, disillusioned Santa Claus ready to hang up his hat when his sense of heroism is stirred by a young girl whose family is taken hostage.
    Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Fitz Lee, commended for heroism in the Spanish-American War.
    Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • The ship's new namesake, Oscar V. Peterson, was a naval officer who was killed in World War II and posthumously granted a Medal of Honor by Congress for bravery during the war.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 27 June 2025
  • Ideas flowed from product engineers to senior leaders, creating a shared sense of bravery, purpose and camaraderie.
    Stephen McKeown, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The convergence of reason and gallantry, of irony and affection, struck a teasing tone.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Written with filmmaker Matt Yoka, Possession marries the Band’s Americana with T. Rex’s fuzzy glam, anchored by Segall’s always-stellar guitar gallantry.
    Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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