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pluckiness

noun

Definition of pluckinessnext
as in fortitude

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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 The league’s innate pluckiness — the teams are named after trailblazing women — also seems to have connected with fans who have had to fight for a place in the world. — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 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
  • But more importantly — and what comes with age — is having the fortitude not to follow them.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That mental fortitude stood out to Green during a minor-league game in which Voit started 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • The show only exists because McConaughey and Harrelson decided to make it, and whatever passion, knowledge, grit, and hustle was needed to turn a celebrity indulgence into scripted entertainment is undetectable in the final product.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Hall’s recipe uses a classic combination of stone-ground grits, milk, water, and salt, but the Nashville native’s cooking technique may be different than the one your mama taught you.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • The friends haven’t seen each other in some time, though Frankie spends many an evening parked outside the hospice in his car, summoning the gumption to visit.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Slight, lightning quick and with mesmerizing ballhanding, Iverson attacked defenses on the perimeter and in the paint with equal parts of fearlessness and relentlessness, guile and gumption.
    — Rob Peterson, New York Times, 26 July 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
  • But Nyong’o delicately keeps her tears at bay, beautifully reflecting the confidence and mettle that A begins to regain by play’s end.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Shelton showed his mettle in the third set, and the New York crowd came to life.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of mettle
Noun
  • For DeSorbo, however, opening up about her experience didn’t initially feel like an act of courage.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • But when catastrophe leaves them fighting for survival, they are propelled into an impossible race against time that will test the limits of courage, sacrifice and love.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • It’s centered on Bryant’s pillars of passion, obsession, relentlessness, resilience and fearlessness, core traits that Bowman used to persevere and conquer.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Comey soon went all in on taking inspiration from Drexler, drawn to the fearlessness of her never-ending creativity.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fearlessness
Noun
  • And, for Arnold Roma, in the fight to keep Keith’s heroism alive.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Today, Crowther's story of heroism is told to children across the country to help teach them about the terror attacks.
    — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of heroism

Browse Nearby Words

pluckily
pluckiness
plucking
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Cite this Entry

“Pluckiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluckiness. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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