SPIRIT Synonyms: 195 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 next

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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nonintoxicant

spirit

2 of 2

verb

as in to capture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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

So in December, after a few years of planning and research, Couture debuted Local Liquid, a centralized online shop for local beverages — not just craft beer, but coffee, wine, spirits, seltzers, mixers and juices. —

David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2025 But within the emotional toll of loss there are uplifting signs of the the human spirit and even some humor. —

Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025

Verb

That spirited them on to renew the show for season three. —

Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2024 Those who critique need to understand that their work can't come off as mean spirited. —

Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spirit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirit

Noun

By the season’s end, his yard transforms into a showcase capturing the spirit and soul of the Chiefs’.

— Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025
The singer, who was known for her cool mix of rock, soul and Indian music styles, was part of the an early incarnation of iconic S.F. rock act The Great Society — which also featured a vocalist by the name of Grace Slick, who’d later reach rock royalty status as a member of Jefferson Airplane.

— Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025