as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
she was an athlete with true grit, continuing her training despite bad weather and an injury
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 grit
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
The team’s grit is personified by senior catcher Josh Midanek, who has been behind the plate in every game since the 2025 season opener.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Doechii continues to grit her teeth while declaring that the accolades she’s earned along the way were from hard work.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grit
Noun
The area surrounding the High Line is so unrecognizable from recent decades that many lament the loss of the neighborhood’s former grit and industrial vibe.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
The team’s grit is personified by senior catcher Josh Midanek, who has been behind the plate in every game since the 2025 season opener.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Grit gave weight to feeling; feeling gave purpose to grit.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Doechii continues to grit her teeth while declaring that the accolades she’s earned along the way were from hard work.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grit
Noun
-
The courage to make those choices and keep moving forward is what has defined my journey.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This will scrape off seed ticks that have bitten you.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
After all, one line of thinking goes, the big LLMs have already scraped everything available on the web.—
Elizabeth Lopatto,
The Verge,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The First Eight's legacies of resistance and resolve, promise and purpose, faith and fortitude, continue to motivate me every day and in every way.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The level of intense feelings that anchor the show requires mental fortitude, yes, but also open-hearted candor.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Twice in the last three years, and also in 2011, Repole brought a promising horse to the Derby and had to scratch him before post time.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike nylon brushes, silicone ones carry no risk of scratching or removing paint from your bottle.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During my visit to New York, my wife and I will again pay our respects to the victims, the families, and the bravery shown in the face of terrible loss.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The key cabin crew are flight attendants Penny (Lucy Barrett) and Zoe (Na Shi), both of whom demonstrate bravery, to different ends, and show caring attention to the terrified children.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The production, directed with the brooding fluidity that is David Cromer’s calling card, is most alive in the evolving dynamic between Nick and Jacki, whose romance happens by degrees then all at once before reality intervenes and the criminal justice bureaucracy grinds to a halt.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And, over the weekend, that community showed up in the simplest way possible — side by side in a gym, grinding through a workout, and remembering the ones who didn’t make it home.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Any editor can tell you—visiting Milan for Salone del Mobile and all of its surrounding events is an exercise in stamina.—
The Editors of AD,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Beware the narrow stairs, though; navigating the building’s five floors and rooftop terrace requires stamina.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grossmont showed some spunk, rallying for three runs in the bottom of the inning.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
An essay that lacks the rough edges, occasional clunky vocabulary, or endearing spunk of imperfect teenage writing can quickly indicate over-coaching (or, perhaps worse, the use of AI).—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grit. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
