as in prudence
the ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
the company needs a new leader with the gumption and know-how that comes from experience
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Recent Examples of gumption
Because, in the first movie, that line came out of desperation and fear; a very young girl who just had a moment of gumption, and honestly, a killer could have jumped right out of that moment and taken her out.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 July 2025
The critics may be talking tough now, but Thune is betting that some of them won’t have the gumption to block the bill on the Senate floor and risk having Trump’s anger rain down on them through social media.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 June 2025
The move made logical sense but still required some gumption.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Add Lowry to the list of professional golfers who lost in heartbreaking fashion and did not have the gumption to stand up and face the music.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 July 2025
The critics may be talking tough now, but Thune is betting that some of them won’t have the gumption to block the bill on the Senate floor and risk having Trump’s anger rain down on them through social media.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 June 2025
The move made logical sense but still required some gumption.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Add Lowry to the list of professional golfers who lost in heartbreaking fashion and did not have the gumption to stand up and face the music.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumption
Noun
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But those with long memories are tempering enthusiasm with prudence, remembering how the dot-com bubble led to unsustainable valuations and a painful crash.—
Tiz Gambacorta,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This was a chance for Biden to take the high road, to toe the fiscal line and display financial prudence.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The newlyweds' parents also shared words of wisdom.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bryce Young has to be better After building up an immense sense of goodwill, locally and nationally, with his second-half performance from last year, Young essentially melted away in the Jacksonville heat.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Giving people a greater sense of agency.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The famous wit adds a lot to a story that’s partly an earnest tango with grief, and partly an act of gossip.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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Adams’ works celebrated the color and movement through vibrant geometric styles; Shrigley brought forth wit and humor through banana motifs and Stewart leaned into a trippy take on optimism through Pop-Surrealist florals.—
Emily Mercer,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumption. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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