courage

Synonym Chooser

How is the word courage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When might mettle be a better fit than courage?

In some situations, the words mettle and courage are roughly equivalent. However, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is it sensible to use resolution instead of courage?

Although the words resolution and courage have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

In what contexts can spirit take the place of courage?

While in some cases nearly identical to courage, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of courage?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

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 courage The ceremony honors the courage of seriously ill children and their families, and Harry will once again deliver a speech and present the award for Most Inspirational Child (aged 4–6). Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Small Things, an adaptation of Clare Keegan’s novel, sees Murphy as a coal seller in a poor Irish village who finds the moral courage to help a woman in need. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025 Marjorie Taylor Greene's courage. ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025 The seemingly unassuming coming-of-ager – a sunny portrait of happy high-school adolescence in Seoul – builds in complexity as a vision of livewire student’s Joo-in’s courage and resilience in the face of trauma, unknown and then misinterpreted by her equally young classmates. John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for courage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courage
Noun
  • With Julian, Kusters has made an impressive, understated directorial debut about love, loss and the bravery required to keep trying to live in an unfair world.
    Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Interpreting fall 2025 runways’ animal print trend on a more literal level, Tyla also went with Pandora Talisman collection picks like the Swallow Medallion Charm and Lion Medallion Charm, representative of hope and bravery, respectively.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Even murder can be recast as heroism.
    Jonathan Alpert, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Last year, Marino recalled the story of her father’s heroism to the New York Post.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
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
  • Tens of thousands of spectators in Beijing looked on as the People’s Republic unveiled laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and giant underwater drones alongside armored vehicles, tanks, and parading soldiers whose marching prowess put the rest of the world to shame.
    Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Lockhart is known for its barbecue prowess and plays host to a number of joints, including Barbs B Q, which is in the Michelin Guide Texas and is on Texas Monthly’s list of the best barbecue in the state.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The new neurons integrated smoothly with existing nerve circuits.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Whatever the manifestation—hair-tucking, shorts-pulling, ball-bouncing, bobbing, pocket-checking, or something else entirely—the familiarity of these motions can have a soothing effect, calming the player’s nerves before a big shot.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courage. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on courage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!