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Showing results for gumption. Search instead for gumpti.
Definitions

gumption

[guhmp-shuhn] / ˈgʌmp ʃən /
NOUN
courage; initiative; shrewdness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acumen cleverness courage good sense initiative resourcefulness savvy shrewdness
STRONG
ability astuteness discernment enterprise get-up-and-go industry judgment perspicaciousness perspicacity sagaciousness sagacity sense spirit wisdom wit
WEAK
common sense horse sense
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance stupidity
STRONG
idleness inanity indolence unemployment
WEAK
cowardice

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.

That takes creativity, intelligence and gumption, and I’m sure your grandfather has those in spades.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

I’ve always been a firm believer in faking it until you make it to such an extreme degree that your gumption becomes undeniable.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2025

But the strange thing is that there’s another significant factor that will determine the outcome this weekend, and this one is the polar opposite of guts and gumption.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

Jamie Greene appeared at Murdo Fraser's campaign launch, telling the audience he was the only candidate with the "gumption" to turn things around for the party.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

I couldn’t believe the cap’n had the gumption to set there looking like he didn’t have no idea what the man was trying to say.

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis