courage

noun

ˈkər-ij How to pronounce courage (audio)
Definition of couragenext
as in bravery
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger the moral courage to speak out against injustice when no one else will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word courage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When might mettle be a better fit than courage?

In some situations, the words mettle and courage are roughly equivalent. However, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is it sensible to use resolution instead of courage?

Although the words resolution and courage have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

In what contexts can spirit take the place of courage?

While in some cases nearly identical to courage, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of courage?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 courage The show itself felt like a video game: Perry had to collect three hearts — courage, knowledge, and freedom — before unlocking the final heart, strength. —Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 14 July 2025 Baker's story is that of perseverance, tenacity, courage, and, most importantly, love. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025 One entrepreneur found the courage to become her own boss after surviving a scary bout of cancer right out of college. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 July 2025 Straight after the match, Anisimova somehow mustered the courage to conduct her on-court interview, something that has become tradition at Wimbledon over the decades. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for courage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courage
  1. bravery
  2. heroism
  3. gallantry
  4. prowess
  5. nerve
Noun
  • Larry loomed very large in their lives for a long time, so there was definitely a lot of bravery that people showed in coming forward to tell their truth.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
  • To come forward takes an extreme amount of bravery.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
Definition of bravery
Noun
  • Each account is filled with a mixture of heroism and doomed misadventure.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • Letting the action unfold in something close to real time, director Fred Zinnemann builds the tension slowly, letting Kane’s mounting desperation, rather than gunfights and acts of heroism, push the film along.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
Definition of heroism
Noun
  • The convergence of reason and gallantry, of irony and affection, struck a teasing tone.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Written with filmmaker Matt Yoka, Possession marries the Band’s Americana with T. Rex’s fuzzy glam, anchored by Segall’s always-stellar guitar gallantry.
    — Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Definition of gallantry
Noun
  • However, with no proven track record of making powerful and reliable engines, Red Bull has a heavy weight on its shoulders, and Verstappen's confidence in the team's technical prowess is yet to be known.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • In the ensuing 18 years, Dark Matter Coffee has shown its prowess.
    — Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of prowess
Noun
  • King has been out since mid-May with a nerve impingement near his right shoulder and is essentially in build-up mode.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The researchers employed a range of advanced laboratory techniques to investigate nerve regeneration.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Definition of nerve

Browse Nearby Words

coups de main
courage
courageous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courage. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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