courageous

adjective

kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
Definition of courageousnext
as in brave
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of courageous Institutions do not become courageous by hiring courageous people. — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 In this scenario, Rogen would emerge as a courageous if idiosyncratic folk hero — one richly rewarded for his stoner fortitude. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026 Blumenthal presents himself as a courageous truth teller whose work is too daring for the corporate media. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Facing his own mortality with unflinching honesty, wit, and grace, Charleson delivers a courageous performance that becomes a source of healing and inspiration for those around him. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for courageous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courageous
  1. brave
  2. fearless
  3. valiant
  4. heroic
  5. gallant
  6. bold
Adjective
  • One brave expression can bring more life back into your day than overthinking ever will.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Pictures from History/Getty Images Duleep was the child of Singh and Rani Jindan, a beautiful and brave woman.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • If Pisces was rising on the horizon at your time of birth, your money sector is ruled by go-getter Mars, celestial ruler of the bold and fearless sign of Aries.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Guzmán is Yvonne Delgado, an innocent yet fearless immigrant farm worker determined to protect her family.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • What would be the worst moment in a mere mortal’s career, Hoecht turned into a valiant scene.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Despite Aldis's valiant comeback, including a superplex and a King's Lynn Cloverleaf that nearly secured the win, Gunther ultimately prevailed.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • The challenge is to preserve human dignity while recovering our capacity for heroic ambition.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Reading will never survive as an individual act of heroic resistance; history shows that reading is and always has been a solitary act sustained by communities.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of heroic
Adjective
  • Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.
    — Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
  • Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
Definition of gallant
Adjective
  • By the time Hacks reached its fifth and final season, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) was still Deborah Vance — big earrings, bold looks and all.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Traditional toile patterns tend to tap bold blues and greens, but the chocolate hue is a decidedly autumnal shade.
    — Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of bold

Browse Nearby Words

courage
courageous
courageously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courageous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courageous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on courageous

Nglish: Translation of courageous for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All