SPIRIT Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'spirit' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of spirit are courage , mettle , resolution , and tenacity . While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened. // her spirit was unbroken by failure

Q: When might 'courage' be a better fit than 'spirit'?

While the synonyms courage and spirit are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty. // the courage to support unpopular causes

Q: When could 'mettle' be used to replace 'spirit'?

The words mettle and spirit can be used in similar contexts, but mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience. // a challenge that will test your mettle

Q: In what contexts can 'resolution' take the place of 'spirit'?

Although the words resolution and spirit have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends. // the resolution of pioneer women

Q: How are the words 'tenacity' and 'resolution' related as synonyms of 'spirit'?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat. // held to their beliefs with great tenacity

spirit 1 of 2

noun

ˈspir-ət

Definition of spirit next

as in soul

an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power the theological and philosophical belief that the spirit is superior to the body

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

body
flesh

as in mode

a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion had been in a combative spirit all week

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as in ghost

the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people Hamlet's late father appears to him in the form of a spirit and with the revelation that he was in fact murdered

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as in liquor

spirits plural a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk a hotel bar that's well stocked with spirits

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nonintoxicant

spirit

2 of 2

verb

as in to capture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word spirit distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of spirit are courage, mettle, resolution, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

When might courage be a better fit than spirit?

While the synonyms courage and spirit are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could mettle be used to replace spirit?

The words mettle and spirit can be used in similar contexts, but mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

In what contexts can resolution take the place of spirit?

Although the words resolution and spirit have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of spirit?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples 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 spirit

Noun

We were surprised by the number of issues which the group generally agreed on and the spirit of constructive candor and engagement embodied by the group and near-unanimous optimism for moving forward. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024 When their attempt to steal a parade balloon goes up in flames and possibly cancels Christmas, the Bad Guys are forced to play Santa to lift the city's spirits — all in preparation for their big bank robbery. —

Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

Verb

All were spirited on a long journey west to a safer location. —

Seyward Darby, Longreads, 7 Aug. 2024 The film has the grace to spirit its characters away to a seaside village in its latter half where a dream logic descends and sadness and fantasy mix. —

Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spirit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirit

Noun

This spiritual path has given rise to a rich tradition encompassing poetry, music, dance and visual art, all of which seek to articulate the ineffable experiences of the soul’s journey toward God.

Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
The underground soul Despite what decades worth of merchandising would imply, the very concept of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles began as something countercultural.

Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024