courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

Synonyms

• brave
• fearless
• valiant
• heroic
• heroical
• gallant
• bold

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

In her latest book, Strong Ground, Brown makes a compelling case that we’re not wired for this level of uncertainty, and risk losing focus on the core values of courageous and sustainable leadership. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025

This was a fearless and courageous person. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025

Chicago Med is an emotional thrill ride through the day-to-day chaos of the city’s state-of-the-art trauma center and into the lives of the courageous doctors, nurses and staff who hold it all together. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025

Cassie Ventura Releases Statement Through Lawyer Cassie Ventura's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, has released a statement following sentencing, presenting his client as a courageous trailblazer for taking on her powerful ex. —Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for courageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• outrageous
• disadvantageous

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or marked by courage : brave

courageously adverb

courageousness noun