brave 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrāv How to pronounce brave (audio)
Definition of bravenext
1
as in courageous
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament despite considerable risk to their own safety, the brave team of rescuers rushed into the collapsed building

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
of the very best kind the gourmet food shop is off to a brave start

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brave

2 of 2

verb

as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage a soldier who braved enemy fire to rescue her wounded comrade

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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 brave
Adjective
Jenner told a brave fan when asked about the details of her augmentation surgery. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026 All 18,000 tickets had been given to anyone willing to brave long lines. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Fans braved the heat to catch the quintet’s 3 pm performance. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 About 100 people braved 90-degree temperatures to honor the men who put their lives on the line and used a Native language — one the nation had once fought to suppress — to help win the war. — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brave
  1. courageous
  2. wonderful
  3. confront
  4. fearless
  5. lovely
  6. face
  7. valiant
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Those early songs and some of that stuff was so courageous, so good.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • The coast on this part of Tuscany is a little wild, but wonderful for swimming, and guests have access to the boat for excursions to nearby islands and morning swims off secret coves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Gloria lived a full, wonderful life filled with friends and great conversations and worthy causes.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • Having to go along with everyone may aggravate you while the Aries moon confronts Mars.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • During the course of the play, one of the men is confronted by a former student.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confront
Adjective
  • But my friends like Flo Kennedy, who was a great civil rights lawyer, and the activist Dorothy Pittman Hughes, were fearless.
    — Gloria Steinem, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Only a freshman, the linebacker is fearless, tough and always anticipating.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • McGraw gave a lovely tribute to Parton via social media this week.
    — David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lovely
Verb
  • Markey will now face Republican candidate John Deaton, who ran unopposed in the general election in November.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The table then stows away, and the bench cushions rearrange to create a side-facing love seat positioned perfectly for viewing the drop-down projection screen just above the entryway.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of face
Adjective
  • Which puts a spotlight on the embarrassing disorder of Expo Park itself (despite valiant efforts from its current leadership, including a parking lot soon to be turned into a park near BMO Stadium).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Tong’s valiant charge promises to yield returns in the longer term, but CT leadership must do more now to restore Connecticut’s reputation and status as a haven for all families.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • Alas, this excellent advice goes into one of Joe’s ears and out the other.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Owls are predators whose eyes are positioned on the front of their heads, giving them excellent depth perception.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

bravado
brave
braved
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Cite this Entry

“Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brave. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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