fortitude

noun

ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce fortitude (audio)
Definition of fortitudenext
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship it was only with the greatest fortitude that the Pilgrims were able to survive their first winter in Plymouth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fortitude This mental fortitude is rooted in physical condition; factors like sleep, fatigue, and stress impact leaders judgment under pressure. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Richards somehow had the fortitude to continue a grueling European tour in the middle of all this chaos and sorrow, but a stadium run through America at the end of the summer was simply too much to ask. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 Camping can be either a delightful pastime or a test of fortitude, depending largely on the bug situation. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026 But, deciding to still move forward with their round of golf knowing the boss would find out at some point took fortitude. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortitude
  1. courage
  2. stamina
  3. bravery
  4. grit
  5. courageousness
Noun
  • The future will not be shaped only by the power of our technology or our weapons, but by the quality of our conversations—and the courage of the choices that follow.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But, beyond the wall-to-wall coverage and sensational headlines, is a story about the incredible courage, devotion, and strength that Natalee’s mother, Beth, showed in the face of unimaginable loss.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • Under that gorgeous screen, the watch is packed with 32GB of storage, tons of sports modes to track your activities, and a myriad of other metrics, including overall stamina, sleep, VO2 max, recovery insights, and even wrist power.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ambitious mukbang-ers eager to prove their gastronomic stamina descended on Red Lobster locations across the country to consume absurd quantities of shrimp.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • The King kids were quiet and poised, letting the camera inspect their faces, putting on a show of mild bravery for the nice reporter and all the people out there watching at home.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Biden administration, in an act of incredible bravery, doubled the sanctions on the way out, in January of 2025.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of bravery
Noun
  • And the protesters’ grit, wit, inventiveness, and fearlessness have dented Modi’s authority like nothing else has in the past 12 years.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Marcus, however, showed a lot of grit and guts for a lad who was not expected to triumph.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2025
Definition of courageousness

Phrases Containing fortitude

Browse Nearby Words

fortifying
fortitude
fortress
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Fortitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortitude. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All