moxie

alternative moxy

1. USinformaluncountableNerve, spunk, strength of character.

   “Most definitely not!” replied Ms. Summers, who quickly added that she admired the woman’s moxie and, anyway, the day was hot.

   2021 July 22, Guy Trebay, “Suddenly It’s Bare Season”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   1 more example

   Aline Brosh McKenna, one of the creators of The CW TV series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, told a reporter in 2020: “I often say, ‘Lord, give me the moxie of a post-menopausal women^([sic]) who gives absolutely no fucks.’”

   2023 November 11, Emma Jacobs, quoting Aline Brosh McKenna, “When will I start caring less about everything?”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4

   Synonyms: spirit, backbone, determination, fortitude

2. USinformaluncountableVerve.

   Yes it's true! / That you seem a little young to do the things that you do, / even with all that moxie you've got.

   2011 January 29, “Rollercoaster: The Musical!” (“Aren't You a Little Young?” (song)), in Phineas and Ferb, season 2, episode 38, spoken by Building Engineer (Dan Povenmire)

   1 more example

   As a girl she had speed and a knock-kneed moxie at athletics, and might have done more with it if she hadn't harvested all the glory already.

   1971, John Updike, Rabbit Redux, page 401

   Synonyms: vigor, pep, energy, initiative

3. USinformaluncountableWit, smarts, skill.

   Synonyms: know-how