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Synonyms

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.


Etymology

Origin of inner strength

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 23, 2025

Like the author, Violet has a genetic condition that means the character dislocates joints and breaks bones easily - so must use her wits and inner strength to help her survive.

From BBC Jan. 21, 2025

And with an extraordinary inner strength, but a great ambivalence as well.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 4, 2024

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

I know that I’m a woman, a woman with inner strength and a great deal of courage!

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

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