2

Could anyone tell me what a single word for mental endurance could be... I'm thinking something along the lines of willpower, but less ambiguous, it should fit in the following sentence:

"...has a great desire for improvement and puts a lot of effort in it, but has issues in terms of confidence and (?)"

Thanks!

Improve this question
8
  • That fits well, but I'm thinking something between stability and endurance, like a "resistance to mental burnout" type of thing...
    – Philip
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 13:18
  • 1
    It's not one word, but what about "mental fortitude"?
    – Matthew Champion
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 13:33
  • 1
    As Matt's example, not one word - but "mental stamina"?
    – starsplusplus
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 13:38
  • 2
    @mplungjan I think the word is 'perseverance'.
    – WS2
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 14:31
  • Really grateful for mental fortitude, but as you yourself have pointed out it's not one word. Will consider it for future use, but I think "tenacity" pretty much hit the nail on the head in this case. It's not a perfect fit, but it's really close while being a single word, which is what I was looking for.
    – Philip
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 14:55

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
8

Your "willpower" really does sound like the most literal definition of "mental endurance", but based on your sample, there are a few ways to go with this.

First is to focus not the abstract concept of mental strength over time, and instead on its results:

...but has issues in terms of confidence and consistency

or

...but has issues in terms of confidence and self-discipline

or just "discipline"... but this might have the connotation that the person as trouble with authority.

If you just mean the person's ability to doggedly stick to it:

...but has issues in terms of confidence and tenacity

Improve this answer
0
1

I'd suggest either determination or resolve as suitable for your requirements.

...but has issues in terms of confidence and determination.

. ..but has issues in terms of confidence and resolve.

I would say that both examples would seem like they require further elaboration in the next sentence.

Improve this answer
0

"...has a great desire for improvement and puts a lot of effort in it, but has issues in terms of confidence and commitment"

Improve this answer
1
  • What about "mettle"?
    – Louel
    Commented Feb 7, 2014 at 14:58
0

How about fortitude?

Fortitude - Courage in pain or adversity. (OED)

‘she endured her illness with great fortitude’

Improve this answer
0

"Persistance" works because the context will determine whether mental or physical persistence is the relevant sense.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .