Moxie — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈmäk-sē/ mox·ie

Meaning & Definition of Moxie

Moxie (noun)

  1. energy, pep
  2. courage, determination
  3. know-how

Moxie (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something

    "it was old-fashioned military moxie that got medical supplies to the disaster site in record time"

    similar: chops, experience, expertise, know-how, proficiency, savvy, skills
    related: background, command, mastery, acquaintance, conversance, familiarity, intimacy
    opposite: inexperience
    near: ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity

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

    "a fearless journalist who denounced McCarthyism when few had the moxie to do so"

    similar: bottle (British slang), bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, 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

  3. active strength of body or mind

    "say, you're full of moxie this morning!"

    similar: beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip
    related: animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity, ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal, main, metal, mettle, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength, brawniness, fitness, hardiness, huskiness, sturdiness, virility, health, healthiness, soundness, verdure, wellness
    opposite: lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity
    near: indolence, laziness, debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness, enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Moxie

The most common words with a similar meaning to Moxie:

British slang: bottle
Chiefly British: pecker
chops, experience, expertise, know-how, proficiency, savvy, skills, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, prowess, stoutness, valor, virtue, beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Moxie

Words with the opposite meaning of Moxie:

inexperience, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness, lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity

Related Words for Moxie

background, command, mastery, acquaintance, conversance, familiarity, intimacy, backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity, audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, cojones, effrontery

Near Antonyms of Moxie

ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity, cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness, feebleness, softness, weakness, impotence, ineffectualness, hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution, indolence, laziness, debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, frailness, frailty, impotency, infirmity

Origin & Etymology of Moxie

from Moxie, a trademark for a soft drink

First known use: 1930

Frequently Asked Questions about Moxie

What does "Moxie" mean?

"Moxie" means energy, pep. As a noun, it is defined as: energy, pep. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Moxie"?

Other words for "Moxie" include chops, experience, expertise, know-how, proficiency, savvy, skills and bottle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Moxie" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Moxie"?

There are 131 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Moxie". Common alternatives include chops, experience, expertise, know-how, proficiency, savvy, skills, bottle, bravery and courage.

What is the opposite of "Moxie"?

Antonyms of "Moxie" include inexperience, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness and lethargy. Near antonyms include ignorance, unawareness, unfamiliarity and cold feet.

How do you use "Moxie" in a sentence?

Examples of "Moxie" in a sentence: "it was old-fashioned military moxie that got medical supplies to the disaster site in record time"; "a fearless journalist who denounced McCarthyism when few had the moxie to do so"; "say, you're full of moxie this morning!".

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

"Moxie" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Moxie"?

"Moxie" is pronounced /ˈmäk-sē/ and divided into syllables as mox·ie.

What is the origin of the word "Moxie"?

"Moxie" comes from from Moxie, a trademark for a soft drink. First known use: 1930.