mettlesome

Examples

• All

• "She looks set to be quite a mettlesome miss."

  Fiction book (1993)

• I was touched by the humor of my grandmother and uncles, and I was mettlesome when the warden observed my responses.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The mettlesome soldier charged bravely into battle, ready to face any danger.

• Her mettlesome spirit inspired the entire team to push through the difficult challenges.

• Despite the icy weather, the mettlesome hiker continued to climb the steep mountain trail.

Synonyms

B

brave

vsmettlesome

860 1.0

Has courage when facing danger, pain or fear

is similar but adds a sense of lively spirit and willingness

G

game

vsmettlesome

• Informal

58 6.8

Willing to try something new or risky

is comparable but stresses courage mixed with lively willingness

G

gritty

vsmettlesome

38 5.5

Brave and determined when things are difficult or dangerous

is like this but stresses lively willingness rather than enduring toughness

S

spunky

vsmettlesome

• Informal

17 4.6

Brave and full of energy and determination

is like this but slightly more about general liveliness than grit

H

hardy

vsmettlesome

13 3.9

Able to live and grow in cold or bad weather

focuses more on spirited courage rather than physical endurance

S

stalwart

vsmettlesome

4 7.6

Strong and able to keep working in hard conditions

emphasizes lively bravery and willingness rather than physical robustness

S

spirited

vsmettlesome

3 4.3

Brave and determined when facing danger or difficulty

is similar but emphasizes plain spirit rather than active energy

M

manful

vsmettlesome

• Archaic

1 8.0

Showing courage, strength, or strong determination

expresses the same bravery but without gendered connotations

M

mettled

vsmettlesome

• Archaic

1 7.7

Being brave and determined, not giving up easily

is the common adjective form with identical meaning to that expression

S

stouthearted

vsmettlesome

1 8.2

Brave and determined when facing danger or hard times

is similar but places more weight on lively spirit than steady resolve

W

warriorlike

vsmettlesome

1 7.9

Being very brave and ready to fight

shares courage but is less about combatlike qualities and more spirit

G

gamy

vsmettlesome

• Archaic

1 8.5

Brave and willing to face danger

is similar but focuses more on general courage than risk taking

S

steely-nerved

vsmettlesome

1 8.3

Very calm and brave in dangerous or difficult situations

is like this but is more about lively eagerness than steady control

B

battleful

vsmettlesome

• UK

9.9

Ready to fight or argue

is similar in bravery but is less about aggression and more about spirit

Antonyms

F

fearful

115 1.3

Feeling afraid or nervous and easily frightened

T

timid

56 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

How Courageous

intrepid

25 7.9

courageous

156 3.3

mettlesome

1 8.8

feisty

61 4.8

spirited

64 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology