fortitude

noun

for·ti·tude ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd

-ˌtyüd

Synonyms of fortitude next

: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage

obsolete : strength

Did you know?

Fortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning “strong,” and in English it has always been used primarily to describe strength of mind. For a time, the word was also used to mean “physical strength”; William Shakespeare used it that way in Henry VI, Part 1: “Coward of France! How much he wrongs his fame / Despairing of his own arm's fortitude.” But despite use by the Bard of Avon, that meaning languished and is now considered obsolete. Even the familiar phrase “intestinal fortitude” is just a humorous way to refer to someone’s courage or mental stamina, not the literal strength of their digestive system. (If you’re looking to describe such a gastrointestinal tract, we might suggest “iron stomach.”)

Examples of fortitude in a Sentence

… everyone in the family was succored by Elizabeth's fortitude and steadfastness. —

Nicholas Fox Weber, The Clarks Of Cooperstown, 2007

But now Frum, by having the fortitude to revisit that bizarre era, has half-persuaded me that the '70s, a partial negation of the '60s, in one way, were a partial confirmation of them in another. —

Christopher Hitchens, Civilization, April/May 2000

He learned that war was a hurly-burly of violence in which men prevailed through imagination and the fortitude to struggle on despite reverses. —

Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988

She has endured disappointments with fortitude and patience. it was only with the greatest fortitude that the Pilgrims were able to survive their first winter in Plymouth

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The fortitude, wisdom, and humanity of Hurley’s later-season characterization helped ameliorate the writing’s earlier efforts to undermine him—although these developments didn’t undo that history. —

Rebecca Bodenheimer, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024 Now Manny Diaz, Penn State’s defensive coordinator the last two seasons, hopes to keep the momentum rolling, largely by maintaining the Blue Devils’ defensive fortitude. —

Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024 Despite his mental fortitude, Leroy isn’t a physical match for Tony. —

Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2024 European leaders are backing Ukraine as a matter of self-defense, and for Harris to stand arm in arm with them would demonstrate far more fortitude than Trump. —

Linda Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fortitude