hero

noun

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce hero (audio)
Definition of heronext
1
as in idol
a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion fans of the sports hero didn't care what the facts were—in their minds, he was innocent of all criminal charges

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2
as in submarine
a large sandwich on a long split roll shared a foot-long meatball hero with his friend

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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 hero In practice, that’s resulted in an evolving wealth of SKUs across bags, footwear, and ready-to-wear, comprising new releases and updates on brand heroes. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Rodney pointed to The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the 2005 comedy whose hero’s action-figure collection was the joke. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Lymphatic drainage massage and enzymatic exfoliation preceded treatments incorporating her Booster Peel & Glow Serum, a hero product, Advanced Skin Serum, Exovive Serum, Wake Up Skin Serum and peptide-rich moisturizer. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Because, as the thinking went, comedies were supposed to be about unlikely heroes who overcome long odds and learn valuable life lessons along the way. — Blake J. Harris, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero
  1. idol
  2. submarine
  3. icon
  4. god
Noun
  • The long history of prejudice As religious studies scholar Michael Altman argues, the charge that Hindus worship false gods and idols took hold in American national culture nearly two centuries ago.
    — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Spoelstra is also 34 wins shy of matching one of his idols, Jack Ramsay, for 15th; Ramsay won 864 games in his career.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of idol
Noun
  • The Squire is being demonstrated for use in mobile communications with submarines or other vessels, as well as in medical and other applications.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Russian submarines are suspected of planning to sabotage some marine infrastructure there.
    — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of submarine
Noun
  • Sabrina Carpenter, Julia Roberts and Oprah were among the stars who paid tribute to Dolly Parton during the Country Music Association’s celebration of the late country icon Wednesday night.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Many Orlando-area homes feature skeletons that tower over the neighborhood, witchy covens, horror movie icons, clowns, pirate ships, pumpkins, zombies and vampires.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of icon
Noun
  • As ruler of the Olympian gods, Zeus occupied a central position in Greek mythology; following Rome’s conquest of Greece, he became associated with the Roman god Jupiter while continuing to be depicted according to classical sculptural conventions.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The long history of prejudice As religious studies scholar Michael Altman argues, the charge that Hindus worship false gods and idols took hold in American national culture nearly two centuries ago.
    — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of god

Phrases Containing hero

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hermits
hero
heroes
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Cite this Entry

“Hero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hero

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