pluckiness

noun

Definition of pluckinessnext
as in fortitude

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 pluckiness From their first encounter, the fantastic Petrova holds her ground, playing Iris with assured pluckiness. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluckiness
  1. fortitude
  2. grit
  3. gumption
  4. spunk
  5. mettle
  6. courage
  7. fearlessness
  8. heroism
Noun
  • They were blown away by his focus, drive, mentality and fortitude.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • In one particular test, participants were submerged in a sensory deprivation tank, a test meant to measure a participant's mental fortitude.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • Selections include blue corn butterscotch pancakes in the morning, a slab bacon dish with cheddar grits in the afternoon.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • While there’s no denying my mom’s creative way with leftovers is delicious and resourceful, there’s something to be said for whipping up a pot of grits exclusively for this snackable, stackable dish.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • Star City earns its FAM bonafides by remembering that gigantic expressions of yearning and gumption are what this franchise does best.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Starting with $250 and a lot of gumption, Kathy Bonnet created a Nashville tradition.
    — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
Definition of gumption
Noun
  • But Alcock is no John Wayne or Jeff Bridges, and Ridley lacks the spunk of Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 24 June 2026
  • These small, high-energy pups have plenty of spunk and a big heart.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 June 2026
Definition of spunk
Noun
  • Game situations and moments of adversity ultimately test the mettle of a team’s core values.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Over the last 19 years, GR has proved its mettle by winning no less than six World Rally Championships, seven World Endurance Championships and four Dakar Rallies.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of mettle
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
  • And goalkeeper Jordan Pickford plays with punchy fearlessness.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Determined to prove his fearlessness, Michael asked to see the electric chair for himself.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of fearlessness
Noun
  • An art film about the great midfielder Zinedine Zidane reveals the heroism and pathos of being human.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
  • Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of heroism

Browse Nearby Words

pluckily
pluckiness
plucking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pluckiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluckiness. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All