as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
she was an athlete with true grit, continuing her training despite bad weather and an injury
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grit
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
The menu includes entrees such as shrimp and grits, grilled trout and spare ribs.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Bailey Richards, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of attempting to channel the Oakland icon by outscoring the Wildcats in a high-tempo affair with the Oakland Athletic League title on the line, Oakland Tech gritted out a stop-and-start 60-50 victory on Wednesday night.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grit
Noun
Notably, a 2018 dust storm permanently shut down NASA’s Opportunity rover after covering its solar panels with grit.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
The menu includes entrees such as shrimp and grits, grilled trout and spare ribs.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
After a bear threatened the safety of her grandson, Jane Fonda gritted her teeth and threatened it right back!
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of attempting to channel the Oakland icon by outscoring the Wildcats in a high-tempo affair with the Oakland Athletic League title on the line, Oakland Tech gritted out a stop-and-start 60-50 victory on Wednesday night.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grit
Noun
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There comes a moment for every leader when the clearest sign of strength is found not in agreement, compromise, or accommodation but in the clarity and courage to firmly say no.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Adding to the timeliness of this welter of Weill is the composer’s reputation for political courage.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Sifting and scraping toxic particles would only further the ongoing coastal erosion, which is its own climate change impact.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
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If another caterpillar wanders into their territory, these tiny critters start furiously drumming their heads, shaking their bodies and scraping their butts against the leaf—a series of complex vibratory behaviors to signal that their leaf tip is off-limits.—
Rohini Subrahmanyam,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the contradiction was apparent for anyone willing to scratch the surface: the three public suspensions and one defection from the Pentagon’s top ranks were all, until very recently, Hegseth loyalists.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
22 Apr. 2025
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The surface of a cat tree is usually covered in a textured, carpet-like material for scratching.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lately, the federal judiciary has responded with impressive speed and fortitude to Trump’s fusillade of executive orders and other actions.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Though Graham had concerns for how Cooper would be handle the pressure of this style, he was quickly given comfort by the young actor’s fortitude.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Just grinding that long, and then to finally get back.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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The place is a hit, though amid the music and revelry and sweaty bumping and grinding, Smoke and Stack have their hands full, making sure, for instance, that their patrons don’t try to pay for their drinks with wooden nickels.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ancient Rome is cool because of gladiators, Julius Caesar — and yes, the underlying lore of strength, bravery and epic feats of masculinity.—
Donie O'Sullivan,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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In many of Kim Won Suk’s dramas, there’s an inspiring character—one whose acts of kindness, compassion, bravery and loyalty motivates viewers to do the right thing in their own lives.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In both world wars, the key to victory was not so much military prowess as unbeatable stamina.—
Lawrence D. Freedman,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Apr. 2025
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Speed and stamina are core aspects of their role, and for most, these take a nosedive around these ages.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Like things could change for the better if only a few teenagers with the right balance of spunk and smarts showed up.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Think of Usher’s costume-leaning spunk, Erykah Badu’s eccentricity, Teyana Taylor’s punk sensibility, Lauryn Hill’s just-go-for-it attitude, and Gunna who is experimental at times.—
Julian Randall,
Essence,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grit. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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