As you might guess from the look of it, judicious is all about sound judgment—but not necessarily in the courtroom. This adjective means “having, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment.” Someone who is judicious is sensible, levelheaded, and well advised in their decisions and actions. The adjective judicial (so close in spelling and very easy to confuse) is the better choice for describing matters pertaining to judgment in courts of justice.

Strength takes many forms: there’s physical strength, as in muscular power, but there’s also mental and emotional strength. That’s where fortitude comes in. Fortitude refers to mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously. Someone who displays great fortitude has tremendous resolve and is able to stay the course for what they think is right, no matter what challenges arise.

Someone who is irritable is easily annoyed, angered, or provoked. Someone who is petulant is impatient, impulsive, and sulky if they don’t get their way. Sound a little childish? That would be a correct assessment of how this word is used! Petulant suggests immaturity and is often used to describe behavior that is unseemly or surprising considering age or stature.