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 Their only protection from a world that wants to harm them, to erase them, is their conscience, their courage, and their good cheer. Steven W. Thrasher june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025 Historically, most performers have developed their art by being taken under the wings of friends as part of drag families or drag houses, or by practicing at home and summoning the courage to sign up for open sets at bars. David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025 Now, Thomas is absolutely right in showing courage. CBS News, 22 June 2025 But some of us admired his candor and his bravery for having the courage to still perform while feeling so vulnerable. Patricia Schultheis, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for courage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courage
Noun
  • The ship's new namesake, Oscar V. Peterson, was a naval officer who was killed in World War II and posthumously granted a Medal of Honor by Congress for bravery during the war.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 27 June 2025
  • Ideas flowed from product engineers to senior leaders, creating a shared sense of bravery, purpose and camaraderie.
    Stephen McKeown, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The film starred Harbour as a drunken, disillusioned Santa Claus ready to hang up his hat when his sense of heroism is stirred by a young girl whose family is taken hostage.
    Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Fitz Lee, commended for heroism in the Spanish-American War.
    Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • The convergence of reason and gallantry, of irony and affection, struck a teasing tone.
    Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Written with filmmaker Matt Yoka, Possession marries the Band’s Americana with T. Rex’s fuzzy glam, anchored by Segall’s always-stellar guitar gallantry.
    Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Shampoo’s grease-tackling prowess isn’t limited to kitchen grease stains.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • For his two-sport prowess, Stearns is the Orange County boys athlete of the year for the 2024-25 high school sports year.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The nerves were palpable throughout before Vondroušová streaked away with the deciding set, taking the match 7-6 (12-10), 4-6, 6-2.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • The Englishman, chasing his first PGA Tour win and clearly feeling the nerves, went back and forth on his approach shot before swapping his 9-iron for his pitching wedge at the last second.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courage. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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