Moxie vs. Pluck — What's the Difference?
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By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 17, 2023
Moxie denotes the ability to face difficulty with spirited and courageous resolve, while Pluck refers to spirited and determined courage.
![Moxie vs. Pluck — What's the Difference?](/images/moxie-vs-pluck-137691.webp)
Difference Between Moxie and Pluck
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Moxie and Pluck, while synonymous in reflecting courage and determination, slightly diverge in their connotations and usage. Moxie primarily denotes a spirited and courageous resolve, especially when facing difficulty or challenging situations. It often conveys a sense of spirited energy, determination, and resourcefulness, illustrating a fearless attitude and the ability to take risks. Moxie emphasizes the presence of vigor and pep, often in the pursuit of one’s goals, highlighting the presence of an assertive and proactive disposition in an individual.
In contrast, Pluck is synonymous with courageous and determined spirit but leans more toward the quality of showing resolute courage in the face of challenges. It reflects bravery, especially when confronted with difficulties, symbolizing the strength of spirit. Pluck portrays a sense of valor and fortitude, often emphasizing the resolve to face challenges head-on, regardless of the potential difficulties or obstacles that may arise.
When analyzing both words, moxie seems to pack an extra punch of energy and audacity, hinting at a bold and adventurous spirit, willing to face challenges with enthusiasm and zeal. It is often associated with a sort of lively and dynamic courage, reflecting a zest for life and a willingness to embrace challenges and risks.
Pluck, while also representing a form of courage, often conveys a more steadfast and resolute bravery, a quiet determination that persists in the face of adversity. It represents a spirited resolve that is enduring and unwavering, often reflecting a noble and dignified form of courage.
In essence, both moxie and pluck reflect attributes of courage and determination, but moxie brings along an essence of energetic resolve and spirited ambition, while pluck leans more towards a dignified and steadfast bravery, a noble resilience in confronting challenges and adversity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Spirited and courageous resolve
Spirited and determined courage
Connotation
Energy, audacity, and assertiveness
Steadfast bravery and quiet determination
Emphasis
Ability to face difficulty with spirited energy
Strength of spirit and valor in face of challenges
Reflects
Fearless attitude and willingness to take risks
Noble and dignified form of courage
Usage
Often associated with lively and dynamic courage
Conveys enduring and unwavering bravery
Compare with Definitions
Moxie
Moxie is the ability to face difficulty with spirited resolve.
With her moxie, she was able to tackle any challenge that came her way.
Pluck
Pluck symbolizes spirited and determined bravery.
With a bit of pluck, she confronted the challenges life threw at her.
Moxie
Moxie denotes courageous and spirited energy.
His moxie inspired others to stand up for their beliefs.
Pluck
Pluck represents valor and noble resilience.
Her pluck was evident as she tirelessly worked to overcome her hardships.
Moxie
Moxie reflects a fearless and adventurous spirit.
Her moxie enabled her to travel the world solo, exploring uncharted territories.
Pluck
Pluck emphasizes enduring spirit and dignified courage.
His pluck was admired by all as he persisted in his endeavors despite numerous setbacks.
Moxie
Moxie emphasizes determination and resourcefulness.
With a little moxie, he turned his small idea into a successful business.
Pluck
To remove or detach by grasping and pulling abruptly with the fingers; pick
Pluck a flower.
Pluck feathers from a chicken.
Moxie
Moxie symbolizes assertiveness and a proactive disposition.
Her moxie was evident when she boldly voiced her opinions during the meeting.
Pluck
To pull out the hair or feathers of
Pluck a chicken.
Moxie
Moxie is a brand of carbonated beverage that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It was created around 1876 by Augustin Thompson (born in Union, Maine) as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food" and was produced in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Pluck
To remove abruptly or forcibly
Plucked their child from school in midterm.
Moxie
The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
Pluck
To give an abrupt pull to; tug at
Pluck a sleeve.
Moxie
Aggressive energy; initiative
"His prose has moxie, though it rushes and stumbles from a pent-up surge" (Patricia Hampl).
Pluck
(Music) To sound (the strings of an instrument) by pulling and releasing them with the fingers or a plectrum.
Moxie
Skill; know-how.
Pluck
To give an abrupt pull; tug.
Moxie
Nerve, spunk, strength of character.
Pluck
The act or an instance of plucking.
Moxie
Verve.
Pluck
Resourceful courage and daring in the face of difficulties; spirit.
Moxie
Wit, smarts, skill.
Pluck
The heart, liver, windpipe, and lungs of a slaughtered animal.
Moxie
Energy; pep.
Pluck
(transitive) To pull something sharply; to pull something out
She plucked the phone from her bag and dialled.
Moxie
Courage, determination.
Pluck
(transitive) To take or remove (someone) quickly from a particular place or situation.
Moxie
Know-how, expertise.
Pluck
To gently play a single string, e.g. on a guitar, violin etc.
Whereas a piano strikes the string, a harpsichord plucks it.
Moxie
Fortitude and determination;
He didn't have the guts to try it
Pluck
(transitive) To remove feathers from a bird.
Pluck
To rob, steal from; to cheat or swindle (someone).
Pluck
(transitive) To play a string instrument pizzicato.
Plucking a bow instrument may cause a string to break.
Pluck
(intransitive) To pull or twitch sharply.
To pluck at somebody's sleeve
Pluck
To reject (a student) after they fail an examination for a degree.
Pluck
Of a glacier: to transport individual pieces of bedrock by means of gradual erosion through freezing and thawing.
Pluck
An instance of plucking or pulling sharply.
Those tiny birds are hardly worth the tedious pluck.
Pluck
The lungs, heart with trachea and often oesophagus removed from slaughtered animals.
Pluck
Guts, nerve, fortitude or persistence.
He didn't get far with the attempt, but you have to admire his pluck.
Pluck
Cheap wine.
Pluck
To pull; to draw.
Its own nature . . . plucks on its own dissolution.
Pluck
Especially, to pull with sudden force or effort, or to pull off or out from something, with a twitch; to twitch; also, to gather, to pick; as, to pluck feathers from a fowl; to pluck hair or wool from a skin; to pluck grapes.
I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude.
E'en children followed, with endearing wile,And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile.
Pluck
To strip of, or as of, feathers; as, to pluck a fowl.
They which pass by the way do pluck her.
Pluck
To reject at an examination for degrees.
Pluck
To make a motion of pulling or twitching; - usually with at; as, to pluck at one's gown.
Pluck
The act of plucking; a pull; a twitch.
Pluck
The heart, liver, and lights of an animal.
Pluck
Spirit; courage; indomitable resolution; fortitude.
Decay of English spirit, decay of manly pluck.
Pluck
The lyrie.
Pluck
The trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury
Pluck
The act of pulling and releasing a taut cord
Pluck
Pull or pull out sharply;
Pluck the flowers off the bush
Pluck
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
Pluck
Rip off; ask an unreasonable price
Pluck
Pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion;
He plucked the strings of his mandolin
Pluck
Strip of feathers;
Pull a chicken
Pluck the capon
Pluck
Look for and gather;
Pick mushrooms
Pick flowers
Pluck
Pluck refers to showing courage in the face of difficulties.
He showed great pluck in standing up to his bullies.
Pluck
Pluck conveys steadfast and resolute courage.
His pluck during the crisis reassured those around him.
Common Curiosities
Is moxie about energetic courage?
Yes, moxie often conveys a sense of energetic and spirited courage.
Does pluck emphasize steadfast bravery?
Yes, pluck emphasizes steadfast and resolute bravery in challenging situations.
What does moxie signify?
Moxie signifies the ability to face difficulty with spirited and courageous resolve.
What is the meaning of pluck?
Pluck means showing spirited and determined courage, especially in the face of difficulties.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.