Fortitude — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd/ for·ti·tude

Meaning & Definition of Fortitude

Fortitude (noun)

  1. strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
  2. strength

Fortitude (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship

    "it was only with the greatest fortitude that the Pilgrims were able to survive their first winter in Plymouth"

    similar: backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude, pluck, spunk
    related: determination, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, stoutness, valor, endurance, forbearance, stamina, sufferance, tolerance, heart, mettle, spirit, audacity, boldness, brass, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerviness, temerity
    opposite: spinelessness
    near: indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, faintheartedness, pusillanimity, timidity, timorousness

Related Entry: Intestinal fortitude (noun)

Intestinal fortitude is a different word from Fortitude. The synonyms below are for intestinal fortitude, not for fortitude.

  1. strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger

    "the one person who had the intestinal fortitude to stand up and denounce the injustice of it all"

    similar: bottle (British slang), bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, pecker (chiefly British), prowess, stoutness, valor, virtue
    related: backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity, audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, cojones (slang), effrontery, gall, temerity
    opposite: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness
    near: cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness, feebleness, softness, weakness, impotence, ineffectualness, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution

  2. the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship

    "you'll need considerable intestinal fortitude to take a job at that company, but the work experience will be worth it"

    similar: backbone, constancy, fiber, fortitude, grit, grittiness, guts, pluck, spunk
    related: determination, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, stoutness, valor, endurance, forbearance, stamina, sufferance, tolerance, heart, mettle, spirit, audacity, boldness, brass, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerviness, temerity
    opposite: spinelessness
    near: indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, faintheartedness, pusillanimity, timidity, timorousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fortitude

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fortitude:

backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude, pluck, spunk

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fortitude

Words with the opposite meaning of Fortitude:

spinelessness

Related Words for Fortitude

determination, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, stoutness, valor, endurance, forbearance, stamina, sufferance, tolerance, heart, mettle, spirit, audacity, boldness, brass, cheek

Near Antonyms of Fortitude

indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, faintheartedness, pusillanimity, timidity, timorousness

Origin & Etymology of Fortitude

Middle English, from Latin fortitudin-, fortitudo, from fortis see fortify

First known use: 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Fortitude

intestinal fortitude

Frequently Asked Questions about Fortitude

What does "Fortitude" mean?

"Fortitude" means strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. As a noun, it is defined as: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.

What is another word for "Fortitude"?

Other words for "Fortitude" include backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude and pluck. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fortitude" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fortitude"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fortitude". Common alternatives include backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude, pluck and spunk.

What is the opposite of "Fortitude"?

Antonyms of "Fortitude" include spinelessness. Near antonyms include indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution and vacillation.

How do you use "Fortitude" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fortitude" in a sentence: "it was only with the greatest fortitude that the Pilgrims were able to survive their first winter in Plymouth".

Is "Fortitude" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fortitude" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Fortitude"?

"Fortitude" is pronounced /ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd/ and divided into syllables as for·ti·tude.

What is the origin of the word "Fortitude"?

"Fortitude" comes from Middle English, from Latin fortitudin-, fortitudo, from fortis see fortify. First known use: 12th century.