spirit 1 of 2

noun

ˈspir-ət How to pronounce spirit (audio)
Definition of spiritnext
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power the theological and philosophical belief that the spirit is superior to the body

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mode
a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion had been in a combative spirit all week

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3
as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people Hamlet's late father appears to him in the form of a spirit and with the revelation that he was in fact murdered

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4
as in liquor
spirits plural a distilled beverage that can make a person drunk a hotel bar that's well stocked with spirits

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spirit

2 of 2

verb

as in to capture

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word spirit distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of spirit are courage, mettle, resolution, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

When might courage be a better fit than spirit?

While the synonyms courage and spirit are close in meaning, courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When could mettle be used to replace spirit?

The words mettle and spirit can be used in similar contexts, but mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

In what contexts can resolution take the place of spirit?

Although the words resolution and spirit have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of spirit?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 spirit
Noun
The project follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Top shelf spirit is an additional $3 and an extra shot costs $4. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
The whiskey is distinguished by an unusually high proportion of pot still spirit, giving it a richer, spicier profile than many Irish blends. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 In another, called Leucippe and Clitophon, Leucippe is saved from being sacrificed as a virgin by the timely appearance of an actor who uses theatre tricks used to perform deaths on stage to fake her death and spirit her away. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spirit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirit
  1. soul
  2. mode
  3. ghost
  4. liquor
  5. capture
  6. essence
  7. mood
  8. apparition
Noun
  • Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Rams no longer need the future Hall of Famer to be the heart and soul of their defense.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of soul
Noun
  • Overheating or air bubbles cause the mechanism to enter limp mode, circulating fluid without cooling it.
    — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In duplication or mirror mode, the machine prints up to four identical parts simultaneously, effectively quadrupling batch output without needing to ramp up raw print speed.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of mode
Noun
  • To be eligible to play Power Four college sports now means to breathe; there are rumors that a group of ghosts from the 1907 Pitt Panthers is suing the NCAA to play another year.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In one extended sequence, Delaney just wanders his lonely apartment, the ghost of his wife already haunting the place.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • Though most grocery stores and liquor stores remain open for Labor Day, some establishments also take part in the federal holiday.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Ecology officials were notified that 250,000 gallons (946,353 liters) of black liquor was discharging into and out of the containment area, according to emails among investigators.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of liquor
Verb
  • An Arkansas State Police trooper was captured on dashcam footage yanking the passenger of a vehicle by his hair and punching him in the face after a high-speed chase that ended in the streets of Blytheville.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Domestic suppliers are projected to capture 38% of the market by value in 2028, compared with 26% last year.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of capture
Noun
  • To experience a thicker, chewier noodle, order the tsukemen (dipping-style ramen) with a broth, as dense as gravy, fusing the essences of pork, chicken and fish.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Ahead, scroll on to find five cozy colors that the nail pros say perfectly capture the essence of fall.
    — Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • Not even Jeff being annoyed at Kasandra’s drunkenness can ruin the mood.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For the campaign, Browne once again turned to Robbie Lawrence to capture the mood and beauty of Scotland.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mood
Noun
  • One minute, the stubble field in front of his stand had been empty, and then suddenly, like an apparition, a whitetail buck had appeared.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of apparition

Phrases Containing spirit

Browse Nearby Words

spires
spirit
spirit (away or off)
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Cite this Entry

“Spirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirit. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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