courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
: 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.
The event series is based on The Old Testament’s Book of Genesis and told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate, yet flawed women whose descendants would shape three of the world’s great faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025 The segment famously saw Piper remove Gowen's prosthetic leg, instantly establishing his courageous character. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 Those courageous enough to refuse to capitulate to the administration’s lawless requests have faced intensifying pressure and threats. Erin M. Carr, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025 The no-contact order was lifted after courageous students in the Maryland Greek system engaged their national organizations and filed a federal lawsuit to protect their most fundamental constitutional rights — the rights to due process, freedom of speech and freedom of association. Wynn Smiley, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025 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 20 May. 2025.

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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