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

"But by the time we get to I Quit, I'm like, 'Screw this, I'm done'. And with that comes an inner strength that I'm very proud to have."

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

Torres’ Oscar-worthy turn conveys both the sorrow of the circumstances and then inner strength Eunice required to fight for justice and fend off despair.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 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

Despite my romantic deficiencies, I gradually adjusted to township life, and began to develop a sense of inner strength, a belief that I could do well outside the world in which I had grown up.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• self-assurance