pluckiness

noun

Definition of pluckinessnext
as in fortitude

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 pluckiness The league’s innate pluckiness — the teams are named after trailblazing women — also seems to have connected with fans who have had to fight for a place in the world. — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 From their first encounter, the fantastic Petrova holds her ground, playing Iris with assured pluckiness. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pluckiness
  1. fortitude
  2. grit
  3. gumption
  4. spunk
  5. mettle
  6. courage
  7. fearlessness
  8. heroism
Noun
  • But more importantly — and what comes with age — is having the fortitude not to follow them.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That mental fortitude stood out to Green during a minor-league game in which Voit started 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • Trying to install your own grit mentality with a roster full of transfers, which is common now in college football, has not produced results in Boulder.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The work still requires grit, focus, judgment and management.
    — Tara Youngblood, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • The friends haven’t seen each other in some time, though Frankie spends many an evening parked outside the hospice in his car, summoning the gumption to visit.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Slight, lightning quick and with mesmerizing ballhanding, Iverson attacked defenses on the perimeter and in the paint with equal parts of fearlessness and relentlessness, guile and gumption.
    — Rob Peterson, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of gumption
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
Noun
  • But Nyong’o delicately keeps her tears at bay, beautifully reflecting the confidence and mettle that A begins to regain by play’s end.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Shelton showed his mettle in the third set, and the New York crowd came to life.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of mettle
Noun
  • As Earth faces an overwhelming alien threat, these young aviators are thrown into relentless combat that tests their loyalty, courage and faith in one another.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • One woman writing for Hers described spending about an hour working up the courage for her first weight-loss shot, only to find the thin needle barely hurt.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • It’s centered on Bryant’s pillars of passion, obsession, relentlessness, resilience and fearlessness, core traits that Bowman used to persevere and conquer.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Comey soon went all in on taking inspiration from Drexler, drawn to the fearlessness of her never-ending creativity.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fearlessness
Noun
  • There are moments when bravery and heroism might be required.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • And, for Arnold Roma, in the fight to keep Keith’s heroism alive.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of heroism

Browse Nearby Words

pluckily
pluckiness
plucking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pluckiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pluckiness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All