gumption

noun

ˈgəm(p)-shən How to pronounce gumption (audio)
Definition of gumptionnext
chiefly dialect
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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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 gumption As Riese observed in an excellent round-up from Autostraddle, this magazine was best known for a certain gumption. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 The Invest in Kids program was allowed to sunset at the end of 2023 because our legislators did not even have the gumption to bring the issue to the floor. — Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 Edward Montoya plays Fingal as an idealistic young writer, fresh out of Harvard, with little practical experience but a lot of ability and gumption. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 Clearly, the interior designer known as Dabito—Dab, for short—does not lack for gumption. — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gumption
  1. prudence
  2. wisdom
  3. sense
  4. wit
Noun
  • Notably, Marvell built some prudence into that spending guide, assuming the current rate of capex growth will moderate over the forecast period and move closer to historical levels in the out-years.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That might well be a sign of prudence on the part of fashion brands, which have been trying to boost full-price sales by not over-ordering inventory.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of prudence
Noun
  • Wherever fear has replaced curiosity, wherever people have stopped listening, wherever power has outrun wisdom.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Somehow, the book is compact enough to fit into a bag, easy to dip into and draw from Le Guin’s wellspring of wisdoms.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of wisdom
Noun
  • Investors should also look at a fund's 30-day SEC yield to get a sense of what the company is generating in terms of income.
    — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Government buildings were vandalized in multiple cities, contributing to a sense of national crisis that could boost leading far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen six months before elections.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Now completed by his son, David Greaves, this documentary offers an intimate time capsule of a generation’s wit, debates and unmistakable style — inviting audiences to spend an evening in the company of history.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wit

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Cite this Entry

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

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