courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
Synonyms of courageousnext
: having or characterized by courage : brave
a courageous soldier
a courageous decision
courageously adverb
courageousness noun

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

She was a courageous woman who wasn't afraid to support unpopular causes. the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones and 72 years after House of the Dragon, A Knight of Seven Kingdom follows two unlikely heroes wandering Westeros … a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026 These gains are the result of courageous leadership and a relentless focus on the fundamentals. Jeb Bush, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Their home stands as a reminder that democracy requires both courageous lawyers and courageous journalists. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2026 This courageous call for universal suffrage, delivered on the centennial celebration of the Fourth of July, helped inspire the struggle that would culminate in the passage of the 19th Amendment more than four decades later. CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courageous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corageous, borrowed from Anglo-French corajus, from corage courage + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courageous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courageous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courageous. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective
cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
: having or marked by courage : brave
courageously adverb
courageousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on courageous

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