toughness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "toughness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being strong, resilient, or durable, often in the context of physical or emotional strength. Example: "Her toughness in the face of adversity inspired everyone around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This week Hillary Clinton, America's secretary of state, was admirably tough, condemning Russia's sales of arms to Syria.Tough on corruption, tough on the causes of corruptionMr Putin respects toughness, not weakness.

The Economist

He added that for sheer toughness it did not come close to the Tour de France.

The Guardian - Sport

His ability, familiarity with trade and finance, toughness in controversy - all fed belief among Conservatives that he was the man to restore them to power.

The Guardian

Anything that asks people to face up to the personal decisions necessary must be good in that it will perhaps enable some of us to see the toughness and potential unpopularity of the decisions to be made.

The Guardian

The speech was undercut with measures of pure toughness, such as plans to ban school-leavers from claiming the dole.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The national honour required that Erdogan responded in some way that shows toughness and resolve and would intimidate the Syrians from further action across the border.

The Guardian

While the Queenslander's mix of pace and spin can break up the rhythm of even the most experienced player, his work ethic and mental toughness remain under a cloud.

The Guardian - Sport

Predictably, The Leftovers has several Lost-ian elements – an emphasis on the spirtual, hefty dollops of mystery – married with some cable drama toughness.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The youth association was flourishing in Poland, a newly independent state set up after the first world war, with a strong focus on patriotism, "toughness" and brotherhood.

The Guardian

This shift began in Texas, a place that has long prided itself for its toughness towards offenders, then spread to more than two dozen other states.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both Reid and Amis were taught by then postgraduate student Craig Raine, who nevertheless remembers Reid as possessing a certain toughness and his "own little pléiade of authors to which he referred.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "toughness" to describe a quality that combines strength, resilience, and an ability to withstand hardship, whether physical or emotional.

Common error

Avoid using "toughness" when you simply mean "strength". "Toughness" implies an ability to endure and recover from adversity, whereas "strength" can refer to raw power without this element of resilience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "toughness" is as a noun, referring to the quality or state of being tough. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where "toughness" denotes resilience, strength, or the ability to withstand difficult conditions. It can also describe a formidable difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Sport

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Toughness" is a frequently used noun that describes the quality of being resilient, strong, and able to withstand hardship. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to distinguish "toughness" from simple "strength", as it carries an implication of endurance and recovery. Alternatives such as "resilience", "fortitude", and "stamina" offer nuanced variations depending on the specific aspect of strength being emphasized. Overall, "toughness" is a versatile and valuable term for describing the capacity to overcome adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resilience

Focuses on the ability to recover quickly from difficulties; emphasizes bouncing back.

fortitude

Highlights courage and endurance in pain or adversity; emphasizes mental and emotional strength.

stamina

Emphasizes the ability to sustain prolonged effort or withstand adversity; focuses on endurance.

grit

Implies courage and resolve; suggests a determined and unyielding spirit.

tenacity

Highlights persistence and determination; suggests not easily giving up.

strength

A broader term indicating physical or mental power; less specific about overcoming adversity.

durability

Focuses on the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; often used in a physical context.

robustness

Indicates strength and healthiness; suggests a strong and vigorous constitution.

resistedness

This term is more specific to the capability of opposing forces without damage, failure, or weakening.

hardiness

Emphasizes the ability to withstand difficult conditions; suggests adaptability and resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "toughness" in a sentence?

"Toughness" is typically used as a noun to describe the quality of being strong and resilient. For example, "The team's success was due to their mental toughness."

What are some alternatives to the word "toughness"?

You can use alternatives like "resilience", "fortitude", or "stamina", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone has "toughness" or is there a better way to phrase it?

Saying someone has "toughness" is grammatically correct, but you could also say they possess "a quality of toughness" or demonstrate "toughness in the face of adversity" for added clarity.

What's the difference between "toughness" and "hardness"?

"Toughness" implies resilience and the ability to withstand pressure without breaking, while "hardness" refers to resistance to scratching or indentation. A material can be hard without being tough, and vice versa.