grit 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrit How to pronounce grit (audio)
Definition of gritnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grit

2 of 2

verb

as in to scrape
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound the crash victim gritted his teeth as a way of coping with the pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
Start with a glass or fine-grit nail file for shaping without tearing the layers of the nail, and a buffer block to lightly smooth the surface. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 Excellence in sport is merely a glimpse into the resolve, grit, and talent pervading communities across the continent. — Jeremy Ebobisse, Time, 26 June 2026
Verb
Some combination of Viel, Johnston and Harkins could return on modest deals to add depth and grit to the group. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 But the show wouldn’t have worked without Smart, who imbued Deborah with wisdom and weariness, grit and glamour. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for grit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grit
  1. courage
  2. scrape
  3. fortitude
  4. scratch
  5. bravery
  6. grind
  7. stamina
  8. spunk
Noun
  • Their courage quickly wavers in the face of the location’s eerie atmosphere and the deafening sound of cicadas.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
  • That courage is greater than talent, and people remember who had it.
    — Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of courage
Verb
  • When a user asked boat-botany why New Reddit isn’t scraped as often as Old Reddit, the Reddit employee pointed to a comment by another user.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
  • Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with ⅓ cup sour cream in 2 additions (about 2½ tablespoons each), scraping down bowl as needed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of scrape
Noun
  • What sets him apart is his character, mental fortitude and sheer physical resilience.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • There may have been flaws in the analysis provided to the president before his decision to strike, or if there weren’t, then no one in the intelligence community had the fortitude or gravitas to help the president understand the realities of the situation.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026
Definition of fortitude
Verb
  • Some scratches early in this past season led to reports of Mintyukov requesting a trade, but the smooth-skating blueliner improved his play and settled in on Anaheim’s second defense pairing.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • In a game not known for high scores, the pace of goals in this World Cup has left some fans scratching their heads.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of scratch
Noun
  • The revolutionary leaders proved their character with sacrifice and bravery.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Without their bravery and will to stand up to England, the most powerful military force in history up to that time, and fight for their right to be free, our United States of America would be a much different place.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Definition of bravery
Verb
  • These matchups are intense and, usually, grind-it-out battles of attrition between two proud soccer nations.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Then, Djokovic had the skills to blow his opponents away, but could also grind them down if needed, knowing that his superior fitness and durability would more than likely win out.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of grind
Noun
  • The Estadio Azteca, which will host the England game, sits 2,240 metres above sea level, which not only gives the hosts an acclimatisation advantage but shifts greater focus onto physical stamina and endurance.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The rucking vest has moved from military training grounds into mainstream fitness gear, and 2026 has delivered a wave of new options built for people who want to add strength and stamina to a simple walk.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • But Alcock is no John Wayne or Jeff Bridges, and Ridley lacks the spunk of Kim Darby and Hailee Steinfeld.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 24 June 2026
  • These small, high-energy pups have plenty of spunk and a big heart.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 June 2026
Definition of spunk

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grists
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Cite this Entry

“Grit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grit

Nglish: Translation of grit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grit

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