fortitude

[ fawr-ti-tood, -tyood ]

See synonyms for fortitude on Thesaurus.com

noun

mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously: Never once did her fortitude waver during that long illness.

Origin of fortitude

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

synonym study For fortitude

See patience.

Words Nearby fortitude

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fortitude in a sentence

Some might lack the fortitude—or masochism—required to endure a grueling campaign (Rubio).
What Republicans Need Right Now Is a Good Internal Fight | James Poulos | November 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Both require of their practitioners discipline and a certain type of constitutional fortitude.
Doctors Can Write More Than Prescriptions: The Best Books by Doctors | Gabriel Weston | August 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He rarely suggests that we develop the fortitude to unplug our brains from the news-generated matrix that subsumes us.
What is the News? Whatever Alain de Botton Thinks It Is | Robert Herritt | February 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But the fact is that not a lot of these people have the fortitude and skill required to do that.
In Defense of the House 39 | Michael Tomasky | November 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training.
The Marine and His Cousin the Firefighter | Maurice Emerson Decaul | September 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

But Aunt Ri did not know what forces of fortitude had been gathering in Ramona's soul during these last bitter years.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
He faced his loss with stoical fortitude, as I believe he would have confronted any disaster that life could bring.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
Recovering her fortitude, she sat down and wrote to M. Roland a minute account of all her proceedings.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
With an animated countenance and a cheerful smile, she was all engrossed in endeavoring to infuse fortitude into his soul.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
Woman's nature triumphs over philosophic fortitude, and she finds momentary relief in a flood of tears.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for fortitude

fortitude

/ (ˈfɔːtɪˌtjuːd) /

noun

strength and firmness of mind; resolute endurance

Origin of fortitude

C15: from Latin fortitūdō courage

Derived forms of fortitude

fortitudinous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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