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
Helping maintain that tone of eternal optimism tinged with gumption is Steve Kerr, who gleefully added another gutsy win over Houston to a resume packed with them.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The result is music that shows a surprising amount of gumption, if not much else.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
And though preseason predictions pegged Marty Supreme as Gwyneth Paltrow’s big Oscar comeback, Odessa A’zion’s performance as a girlfriend with gumption has usurped the Goopster’s buzz.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Wall Street observers admire Paramount Skydance’s new gumption, but also recognize some of its assets face strong, ongoing challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The result is music that shows a surprising amount of gumption, if not much else.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
And though preseason predictions pegged Marty Supreme as Gwyneth Paltrow’s big Oscar comeback, Odessa A’zion’s performance as a girlfriend with gumption has usurped the Goopster’s buzz.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Wall Street observers admire Paramount Skydance’s new gumption, but also recognize some of its assets face strong, ongoing challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumption
Noun
-
That prudence by supporters of the center, including County Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Judge Steve Leifman, is now being used against them to keep the center in limbo.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By all accounts, being a milquetoast is a sort of vice—cowardice masquerading as prudence.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The accepted wisdom in yacht design has been that the fastest ocean passages can only be achieved by multihull craft, such as the current crop of Ultim trimarans, which have three hulls in parallel and have set the big records of the past decade.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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These visionary artist‑activists have created performances binding Jewish wisdom with ecological awareness, exploring renewal, belonging, and resilience in the face of the ecological crisis, the news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Keep the conversation moving, and let flexibility strengthen your position and perspective while maintaining your sense of balance and fairness.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
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From coast to coast, her shows have sold out in record time, proof that Lucy Darling’s blend of wit, sweetness and old Hollywood glamour has struck a chord with audiences.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
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Kass, who has owned Berkshire stock for 40 years, said while nobody can match Buffett’s wisdom and wit, Abel has now demonstrated his competency as CEO.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gumption. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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