What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Confidence vs Fortitude - What's the difference?

confidence | fortitude |

As nouns the difference between confidence and fortitude

is that confidence is passive self-assurance while fortitude is mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity.

confidence

English

(wikipedia confidence)

Noun

(-)
  • Passive self-assurance.
  • Expression or feeling of certainty.
  • The quality of trusting.
  • Information held in secret.

    • Quotations

    * {{quote-book, year=2006, author= , title=Internal Combustion , chapter=1 citation , passage=But electric vehicles and the batteries that made them run became ensnared in corporate scandals, fraud, and monopolistic corruption that shook the confidence of the nation and inspired automotive upstarts.}} * 1956 — , The City and the Stars , p 39 *: Khedron hesitated for a moment, wondering how far he should take Jeserac into his confidence . He knew that Jeserac was kindly and well-intentioned, but he also knew that he must be bound by the same taboos that controlled everyone on Diaspar.

    Antonyms

    * (self-assurance ): fear

    Derived terms

    * confidence interval * confidence level * confidence trick

    Related terms

    * confidant * confidante * confident * confidential * self-confidence

    fortitude

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity.
  • * 1612 , , King Henry VIII , act 3, sc. 2:
    • . . . I am able now, methinks,
    Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,
    To endure more miseries.
  • * , ch. 1:
    • I shall soon have need for all my fortitude , as I am on the point of separation from my own daughter.
  • * 1906 , , The Mirror of the Sea , ch. 21:
    • She may be saved by your efforts, by your resource and fortitude bearing up against the heavy weight of guilt and failure.
  • * 2012 Jan. 30, , " The Strategist," Time :
    • Mitt Romney . . . charges that Obama is an appeaser who apologizes for America, lacks fortitude and is "tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced."
  • (archaic) Physical strength.
  • * 1604 , , Othello , act 1, sc. 3:
    • DUKE OF VENICE: The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for
    Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best
    known to you.

    Synonyms

    * (mental or emotional strength) inner strength, moxie, resolve