fortitude

[fawr-ti-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.

   Never once did her fortitude waver during that long illness.

fortitude

/ ˈfɔːtɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. strength and firmness of mind; resolute endurance

Other Word Forms

• fortitudinous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortitude¹

First recorded 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin fortitūdō “strength, firmness, courage,” equivalent to forti(s) “strong” + -tūdō noun suffix ( -tude )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortitude¹

C15: from Latin fortitūdō courage

Synonym Study

See patience.

Example Sentences

A battle of physical attrition and emotional fortitude.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When I visited the market - with the black fumes still billowing from the missile strike on a nearby warehouse - that sense of fortitude was evident.

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In his cratered and ravaged mien we see the impress of time, yet also dignity and fortitude.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While in Adelanto, she said she prayed daily — often with other detainees — asking for strength and fortitude.

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But their construction, and ingenuity, has one wondering about the intelligence and fortitude of these homo sapiens who lived as many as 9,000 years ago.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boldness 
• bravery 
• courage 
• determination 
• endurance 
• fearlessness www.thesaurus.com
• firmness www.thesaurus.com
• grit 
• mettle 
• moxie 
• nerve 
• patience 
• perseverance 
• pluck 
• spunk 
• stamina 
• staying power 
• tenacity 
• valor 

When To Use

What is fortitude?

Fortitude is mental or emotional strength in facing something difficult, as in Lillie stayed sane on the deserted island thanks to her intense mental fortitude.Fortitude refers to mental or emotional strength rather than physical or bodily strength, as in During the pandemic, Kasha wrote poetry to maintain her mental fortitude. But you can use words like strength, power, and intensity as synonyms for fortitude if you are talking specifically about mental or emotional strength.The adjective form of fortitude is fortitudinous, as in The fortitudinous soldiers never even considered retreating.Example: You could never tell June was suffering from illness due to her amazing fortitude.