mettle
Courage under pressure
Mettle is a person's capacity to cope well with difficulty—their spirit, courage, or resilience under pressure.
To prove your mettle or show your mettle is to demonstrate you can handle a challenge.
Something that tests your mettle pushes you to your limits.
The word shares an origin with metal, suggesting inner hardness or temper.
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
boldness · intrepidity · audacity · dauntlessness · stoutheartedness · pluck · spunk · nerve
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
grit · drive · commitment · dedication · purposefulness · single-mindedness · doggedness · persistence
Sustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
strength · hardiness · robustness · composure · self-control · patience · equanimity · stoicism
Soul, mood, or liquor
- caliberBore diameter or quality
- temperamentInborn behavioral nature
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- qualityStandard or attribute
worth · substance · makeup · nature · disposition · constitution · moral fiber · soul
bravery
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
gallantry · boldness · intrepidity · audacity · dauntlessness · stoutheartedness · pluck · spunk · nerve · daring
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
willpower · grit · drive · commitment · dedication · purposefulness · single-mindedness · doggedness · persistence · staunchness
endurance
Sustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
backbone · strength · hardiness · robustness · composure · self-control · patience · equanimity · stoicism · tolerance
spirit
Soul, mood, or liquor
- caliberBore diameter or quality
- temperamentInborn behavioral nature
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
quality · worth · substance · makeup · nature · disposition · constitution · moral fiber · soul · essence
- resilienceresilience, grit, bounce back, bouncing back, robustness
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- durabilitytoughness, durable, sturdiness, robustness, sturdy
- endurancestamina, endure, perseverance, persistence, staying power
- fortitudefortitude, mental fortitude, grit, resolve, tenacity
- heroismbravery, valor, hero, courage, heroism
mettlecowardice
Absence of bravery
timidity · fearfulness · cowardliness · pusillanimity · cravenness
mettleweakness
Deficiency in force
fragility · brittleness · feebleness · frailty · softness
mettlespinelessness
Lack of courage
weak-willed · lack of backbone · defeatism · irresolution · wishy-washiness