as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
the inspiring heroism of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the people trapped in the burning building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of heroism
In Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism and a Purple Heart.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The tough, silent face of a very specific idea of heroism passed away Thursday after a brief hospitalization in Hawaii.
—Valentina Colosimo, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
During Thursday's ceremony, Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms praised White's heroism.
—Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
His first period piece, the film follows a Belgian soldier grappling with cowardice and heroism in the trenches of WWI.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroism
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The tough, silent face of a very specific idea of heroism passed away Thursday after a brief hospitalization in Hawaii.
—Valentina Colosimo, Vanity Fair, 20 Mar. 2026
During Thursday's ceremony, Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms praised White's heroism.
—Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
His first period piece, the film follows a Belgian soldier grappling with cowardice and heroism in the trenches of WWI.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heroism
Noun
-
The farmworkers' rights movement has always been powered by courage, by people willing to endure, to speak out, to demand dignity in the face of injustice.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But if worthiness is measured by the courage to lead, the humility to listen, the wisdom to hold complexity and the sacred responsibility of walking with people through joy, loss and transformation, then women’s rabbinic leadership has already outgrown the narrow metrics of any centralized system.—
Rabba Sara Hurwitz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The suicidal bravery of the Basij has become iconic in Iranian culture, including that of Basij child soldiers.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
-
That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
On May 1, Taylor will bring her fiery prowess to Heritage Barbecue for a one-night, 42-seat dinner alongside lauded pitmaster Daniel Castillo.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout his time at Ontario High and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Glover also added football into the mix and ultimately became best known for his wrestling prowess (despite feeling quite intimidated by his college teammate at the time, Chuck Liddell, who ultimately became an MMA star).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When Reconstruction ended, schoolbooks that did not portray the South’s Lost Cause as a war of valor were banned.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Thirteen other Raiders later received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest honor for valor.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heroism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heroism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
