inner strength

American  

[in-er strengkth, strength, strenth] / ˈɪn ər ˈstrɛŋkθ, ˈstrɛŋθ, ˈstrɛnθ /

noun

1. mental power or endurance, such as willpower, courage, self-confidence, or self-discipline.

   Her inner strength and her deep love of dancing helped her survive the ebbs and flows of a long career.

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Etymology

Origin of inner strength

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

It was a hard emotional transition, but the experience gave me discipline and inner strength.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

What inner strength does that take on one hand, and what desire does it take on the other hand?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025

He finds this inner strength he didn’t know existed to do things that are so unbelievable to him as a character.

From Salon • Oct. 1, 2024

Still vulnerable and lonely and isolated and maybe somewhat awkward, but I wanted him to have a kind of inner strength.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2024

Our literature and our history are filled with stories of men and women whose will and inner strength nourished their rise from impoverishment to wealth, whether material, spiritual, or educational.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• self-assurance