folk hero
noun
: a person who is greatly admired by many people of a particular kind or in a particular place
He has become a folk hero in his home state because of the work he has done to help poor children.
Examples of folk hero in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most people would have pitched this as a pathological case study or a parable for the early 21st century blues, presenting this semi-Robin Hood figure as a folk hero stickin’ it to the man.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Practically overnight, Marin, who had been the youngest head of government in the world when she was elected, in 2019, became a millennial folk hero.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Hailed as a folk hero by cannabis users and branded public enemy number one by law enforcement, Barry’s outrageous reinvention is filled with wild stories, big personalities, and Texas-size spectacle.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
In the years following her conviction, prison break and asylum-seeking in Cuba, Assata became somewhat of a folk hero in certain circles, particularly in the hip hop community.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folk hero
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.
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Practically overnight, Marin, who had been the youngest head of government in the world when she was elected, in 2019, became a millennial folk hero.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Hailed as a folk hero by cannabis users and branded public enemy number one by law enforcement, Barry’s outrageous reinvention is filled with wild stories, big personalities, and Texas-size spectacle.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
In the years following her conviction, prison break and asylum-seeking in Cuba, Assata became somewhat of a folk hero in certain circles, particularly in the hip hop community.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folk hero
Cite this Entry
“Folk hero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20hero. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share