grit
Resolve or pebbles
Grit refers to small, coarse particles of stone or sand—the kind that gets in your shoes or between your teeth.
By extension, grit describes mental toughness and perseverance: She had the grit to finish the marathon on a sprained ankle.
To grit your teeth is to clench them, either physically or in determination.
In the plural, grits are coarsely ground corn, a staple of Southern American cuisine.
Persistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
fortitude · endurance · persistence · doggedness · stamina · drive · dedication · commitment
Rough or vulgar quality
- roughnessUneven surface quality
- graininessGrainy visual texture
- granularityLevel of detail
- abrasivenessCoarse or harsh quality
sandpaper · emery · rasp · scour · scrub · pumice · gritstone · grinding
Fine rock particles
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- dustFine settled particles
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- granulesSmall discrete particles
debris · dirt · pebbles · coarseness · silica · abrasive · powder · specks
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- daringAdventurous courage
audacity · fearlessness · gallantry · heroism · intrepidity · gutsiness · undauntedness · heart
tenacity
Persistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
steadfastness · fortitude · endurance · persistence · doggedness · stamina · drive · dedication · commitment · discipline
coarseness
Rough or vulgar quality
- roughnessUneven surface quality
- graininessGrainy visual texture
- granularityLevel of detail
abrasiveness · sandpaper · emery · rasp · scour · scrub · pumice · gritstone · grinding · polishing
sand
Fine rock particles
granules · debris · dirt · pebbles · coarseness · silica · abrasive · powder · specks · roughage
bravery
Boldness before danger
daring · audacity · fearlessness · gallantry · heroism · intrepidity · gutsiness · undauntedness · heart · spirit
hominy
Alkali-processed dried kernels
groats · maize · Southern · breakfast · creamy · stone-ground · buttered
- frictionfriction, rubbing, abrading, friction burn, rolling friction
- heroismbravery, valor, hero, courage, heroism
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
- resilienceresilience, bounce back, bouncing back, robustness, endurance
- sandcoarse sand, desert sand, fine sand, grains, quartz sand
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
gritcowardice
Absence of bravery
timidity · faintheartedness · spinelessness · cravenness · pusillanimity
gritirresolution
Lack of firm decision
indecisiveness · irresoluteness · vacillation · quitting · giving up
gritsmoothness
Freedom from irregularity
softness · silkiness · sleekness · polish · velvetiness
- nitty grittyEssential practical details
- grit one's teethEndure something unpleasant
- grit your teethEndure something unpleasant determinedly
- gritting one's teethForcing oneself onward despite difficulty
- true gritAuthentic, steadfast courage
- gritted teeth