Gutsy
What it means
Showing bold courage, initiative, and willingness to accept a meaningful risk.
Reach for it when praising a daring choice when preparation and purpose make it defensible
Her gutsy final sprint secured the relay team's place.
Words to choose between 7
| playful |
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| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when informal praise should stress apparent absence of hesitation
Careful No one is literally without fear, and ignoring risk is not a virtue.
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everyday
Fits when confident willingness to take a risk is the broad quality
Careful Bold can describe style or scale without the personal nerve of gutsy.
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warm
Fits when the action ventures beyond the safe conventional choice
Careful Daring can celebrate novelty even when the risk was poorly judged.
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professional
Fits when initiative turns an opportunity into practical action
Careful Enterprising focuses on resourceful ambition rather than courage itself.
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formal
Fits when a striking challenge to convention is genuinely impressive
Careful A modest risk rarely warrants audacious, which can also suggest brazenness.
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formal
Fits when serious risk or moral pressure deserves respectful praise
Careful Courageous is weightier and less lively than gutsy.
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literary
Fits when an underdog shows cheerful courage
Careful Plucky can sound patronizing, especially about prolonged hardship.
Opposites 3
- timid
- cowardly
- risk-averse
Common phrases 3
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gutsy move
The gutsy move succeeded because the team had rehearsed the fallback.
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gutsy performance
A gutsy performance recovered after the opening mistake.
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gutsy decision
Her gutsy decision paired urgency with an independent safety check.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Gutsy should not praise recklessness. A worthwhile purpose and informed risk distinguish it from impulsive behavior.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated