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

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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 courageous President Harry Truman’s courageous decision to support the United Nations in defending the South against invasion from the North laid the foundation for today’s remarkably successful Republic of Korea. — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 But no revelation is as courageous or groundbreaking as Panettiere’s description of her experience with postpartum depression. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Level 5 of sustaining character across context and under stress is not reached by resolving to be more humble, or more courageous. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The sun in Leo is expressive, vivacious and deeply courageous. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 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
  • How will this play out as these brave, disillusioned journalists enter our world?
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Gunn was indeed brave, and her performance was indeed a train wreck.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of brave
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
  • 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
  • The closest tonally and thematically to the original, Last Crusade returns the series from the dark streaks of Temple of Doom to its more classically heroic, Third Reich-smashing roots.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 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
  • On September 2, the singer and actress was spotted in Manhattan wearing a long, bold dress with the daintiest straps.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Amal wore her long hair in cascading waves and kept her makeup light with a nude lip, bold lashes and pink blush.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bold

Browse Nearby Words

courage
courageous
courageously
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Cite this Entry

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

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