SPIRIT Synonyms: 201 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spirit 1 of 2

noun

ˈspir-ət

Definition of spirit

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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body
flesh

as in mode

a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion had been in a combative spirit all week

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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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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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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 Original Series, Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026 As the Commander of the crew, my main responsibilities were to make sure the crew was safe, in good health and spirits, getting along well and on top of their work. — Michaela Musilova, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Verb

Misdirection is a tool that the Secret Service often uses, but this case is extraordinary considering the secrecy and methods deployed to spirit Trump out of Turkey. — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for spirit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirit

Noun

Against the backdrop of seemingly endless violence, artists banded together and dabbled in soul, disco, and jazz as a salve to their suffering.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
After Esther’s soul-searching decision to separate, the third season of the show, now streaming, tracks the fallout of their life apart.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of soul

Noun

Spirit Airlines' ghost planes The problems with young retirements predate Spirit's collapse.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
In 2026, the gemlike Brooklyn venue lent Kushner’s project a magical quality, turning the audience into ghosts from the future, eavesdropping on the fall of the Weimar Republic but unable to intervene.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ghost

Verb

Long-duration observations can help researchers study changes that are difficult to capture during short research cruises, while onboard engineering facilities could support testing of marine equipment and systems.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
ClearSpace's mission could help prove that robotic spacecraft can safely capture objects that were never designed for servicing.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of capture

Noun

First, the essence of each brand tends to manifest in aesthetics and interaction models.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026
Rather than rehashing traditional compositions, the group recognizes these sorely untapped sounds as living and malleable, creating new interpretations that bring them to our times without losing an ounce of their essence and verve.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of essence

Noun

In interiors, our Thames table gives a room a mood boost with its shiny finish; exactly what a single-material scheme needs.

— Alex Eagle, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Forecasters describe the contest as exceptionally close, with limited independent polling, leaving uncertainty about whether the state’s political mood will produce a Democratic gain.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of mood

Noun

The location was a former sugarcane plantation notorious for cruelty, and accounts of apparitions in the water are a reminder of this history.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
After the vocal chorus, Astaire sees an apparition—Pan, costumed in Halloween drag.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparition

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“Spirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirit. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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