brave 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrāv How to pronounce brave (audio)
Definition of bravenext
1
as in courageous
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament despite considerable risk to their own safety, the brave team of rescuers rushed into the collapsed building

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
of the very best kind the gourmet food shop is off to a brave start

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brave

2 of 2

verb

as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage a soldier who braved enemy fire to rescue her wounded comrade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 brave
Adjective
There were a lot of brave guys who stayed to fight there — and people at home don't know what happened. — Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 Cagle added that the photo showed a confident, brilliant, brave, polite, gracious, kind and gentle young man. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
Fans who braved the stormy weather caused by Hurricane Isaias rained down boos as Atlanta United picked up another loss, this time to FC Cincinnati 3-1 on Saturday night. — Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 11 Oct. 2026 While some birds migrate south for the winter, others, like the blue jay and classic cardinal, remain on the East Coast and brave the cold. — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brave
  1. courageous
  2. wonderful
  3. confront
  4. fearless
  5. lovely
  6. face
  7. valiant
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • As with any courageous statement, acceptance is rarely unanimous.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Sadly, sports reformers across the country have abandoned the hard work of courageous whistleblowers, such as Bensel-Meyers, and now sing the tune of college athlete compensation.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • An itinerary of hikes, wine tastings, and a sunset cruise offering incredible views of the Santa Barbara coastline is a wonderful way to end the day, while a cozy house with a garden will add to everyone’s enjoyment.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • It’s been covered breathlessly on Instagram and by celebrity media — led by the former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush, who last Monday on his podcast described being confronted by Griffin at a wedding on the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The country is deeply polarized, increasingly castigated by the rest of the world, and confronting a resurgence of antisemitism.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of confront
Adjective
  • The actor praised Chris Rock’s writing as fearless, describing her character as contradictory, self-destructive and prone to terrible decisions.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Cinema needs women who are complicated, instinctive, ambitious, vulnerable, fearless and free – women who do not ask permission to take up space.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • Montserrat Collection Residence Set within a 1930s French-style building, this lovely home features contemporary Argentine art and mid-century design.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But Mi-ok is game to be interviewed, and her words spring to life in wistfully lovely flashbacks.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of lovely
Verb
  • But the company’s stock has gone nowhere over the past two years, as Instacart struggled to find new paths to growth while facing increasing competition from Amazon and Walmart’s grocery-delivery offerings.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Oversized windows invite the ocean into the rooms, especially in the sea-facing Janeiro Suite, where the bed, an enormous glass-box shower, and the freestanding bathtub all face the Atlantic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of face
Adjective
  • The Florida Panthers were able to mount a valiant comeback in San Jose, rallying from three goals down in the second period and scoring two in the third before ultimately falling in overtime.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a valiant effort on the water, that milestone failed to normalize a more ever-present female presence at the Cup for almost three decades.
    — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

bravado
brave
braved
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Cite this Entry

“Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brave. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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