HARDIHOOD Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hardihood' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of hardihood are audacity , cheek , chutzpah , effrontery , gall , nerve , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: When is 'audacity' a more appropriate choice than 'hardihood'?

The words audacity and hardihood are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

Q: When might 'effrontery' be a better fit than 'hardihood'?

The words effrontery and hardihood can be used in similar contexts, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: How does the word 'nerve' relate to other synonyms for 'hardihood'?

Nerve , cheek , gall , and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery . // the nerve of that guy // has the cheek to call herself a singer // had the gall to demand proof // the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Q: Where would 'temerity' be a reasonable alternative to 'hardihood'?

In some situations, the words temerity and hardihood are roughly equivalent. However, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

hardihood

noun

ˈhär-dē-ˌhu̇d

Definition of hardihood next

as in vigor

active strength of body or mind the 80-year-old grandmother attributes her hardihood to having eaten a cup of yogurt every day for the past 50 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courage

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger the explorers were driven by an almost reckless hardihood in the face of the unknown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hardihood different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of hardihood are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When is audacity a more appropriate choice than hardihood?

The words audacity and hardihood are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might effrontery be a better fit than hardihood?

The words effrontery and hardihood can be used in similar contexts, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for hardihood?

Nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Where would temerity be a reasonable alternative to hardihood?

In some situations, the words temerity and hardihood are roughly equivalent. However, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

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 hardihood My father had been a leading Mountaineer and would still maintain the general superiority in skill and hardihood of the Above Boys (his own faction) over the Below Boys (so were they called), of which party his contemporary had been a chieftain. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 There is little question that Reagan, for all his physical hardihood and strength of will, was no longer up to the task of serving a third term beginning in 1989. —

Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 18 Sep. 2020 And yet Andrew Johnson, with unblushing hardihood, undertook to rule them by his own power alone. —

Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardihood

Noun

Texas fascinates with its famous hubris, its huge distances, its undeniable vigor, its wealth, and its sense of always being on some kind of cutting-edge.

— Llewellyn King, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
By 2023, when Mr. DeSantis was Mr. Trump’s main rival for the Republican nomination, Ms. Wiles and her team were pursuing him with vigor.

— Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025