heroism

noun

her·​o·​ism ˈher-ə-ˌwi-zəm 

ˈhe-rə-,

 also  ˈhir-

1

: heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end

2

: the qualities of a hero

Synonyms

• bottle [British slang]
• bravery
• courage
• courageousness
• daring
• daringness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• greatheartedness
• guts
• gutsiness
• hardihood
• heart
• intestinal fortitude
• intrepidity
• intrepidness
• moxie
• nerve
• pecker [chiefly British]
• prowess
• stoutness
• valor
• virtue

Examples of heroism in a Sentence

women who showed heroism by fighting for their right to vote

the inspiring heroism of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the people trapped in the burning building

Recent Examples on the Web

Country singer Craig Morgan revealed the secret behind the heroism that drives members of the military and law enforcement officers to serve others in the face of perilous situations. —Ashley Hume, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025

What makes ‘Aloes’ so moving is the playwright’s insistence on the heroism and integrity of these harsh choices. —Carmel Dagan, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025

Trump’s heroism, his supporters believe, was illustrated after a bullet grazed his ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024. —Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025

Ronald Reagan lauded the heroism of the doomed astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, who were killed when the aircraft exploded shortly after takeoff in 1986. —Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heroism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

heroism

noun

her·​o·​ism ˈher-ə-ˌwiz-əm 

 also  ˈhir-

: heroic conduct or qualities