1
2

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

Example 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 Someone died today in Virginia in a racial terrorist attack, and our President had the audacity, the hardihood to continue to hew to the line of dog whistling racist dogma. Angela Helm, The Root, 12 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardihood
Noun
  • The findings revealed that micro-breaks were significantly associated with lower levels of fatigue and higher levels of vigor by the end of the day.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The weeds have returned with vigor since construction began on the north side because volunteers can’t get in until the work is completed, Mercer said.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Ethical Memory Vault: A secure story engine that records acts of moral courage—feeding these back into leadership training, AI models and onboarding systems.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Hutchins later credited Jenner with giving her the courage to make the same transition.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • You are not only welcomed but encouraged to bring bold energy to all of these magical experiences!
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • Keep the leaves in place to produce energy and shade the developing fruits.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Other stories of heroism have begun to surface as the floodwaters recede in Texas.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
  • Amid the chaos, acts of heroism stood out: men who hoisted children over animal chutes, staff who moved the animals and tried to restore calm, police officers and firefighters who arrived on the scene to help.
    Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Her bravery, poise, and care are an example to not only her campers but to all of us.
    David Chiu, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • For her bravery, she was later honored as Righteous Among the Nations.
    Linda Ambrus Broenniman, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The convergence of reason and gallantry, of irony and affection, struck a teasing tone.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Written with filmmaker Matt Yoka, Possession marries the Band’s Americana with T. Rex’s fuzzy glam, anchored by Segall’s always-stellar guitar gallantry.
    Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardihood. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!