HEROIC Synonyms: 339 Similar and Opposite Words

heroic

adjective

hi-ˈrō-ik

variants also heroical

Definition of heroic

as in courageous

feeling or displaying no fear by temperament a memorial honoring the heroic nurses who served in the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in epic

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception an opera production of heroic proportions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tremendous

unusually large a heroic statue of Alexander the Great astride his horse

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 heroic Despite heroic efforts to keep crude moving, the Gulf’s reputation as a reliable energy provider has been damaged. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 That has not stopped the computer programs from becoming a beloved part of the MCU, though, which is why the writers can get away with presenting JARVIS deleting his code to clear server space as heroic act of self-sacrifice in the second episode. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 High on mushrooms and his own unmoored ego, Lee’s not-quite-acceptance speech casts our protagonist as far from the heroic spotlight as anyone literally standing in one can get. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 In the absence of advertising, mosaics communicated and reinforced Soviet values like space exploration and heroic factory work. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heroic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heroic

Adjective

Research by Harvard Business School Professor Ranjay Gulati found that courageous and effective leaders create positive narratives that guide them through chaos, often recasting their work as a mission.

— Olivia Ludington, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
The defeat coming against someone playing such courageous tennis is why Wawrinka’s triumph still resonates.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

For 28 years and one day, Karl Bushby took the long way home on an epic odyssey of human endurance back to northern England.

— Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams says her team's epic return in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals, which earned them their first WNBA title Saturday night against the Atlanta Dream, was always in the cards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of epic

Adjective

Eventually the inevitability of gravity brings them close enough to suddenly merge, sending out a tremendous blast of matter and energy that can outshine the sun by a factor of many billions, though just for the briefest fraction of a second.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
His reasoning is that quantum carries both tremendous risk and opportunity.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of tremendous

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

The eatery, famous for its ornate interiors, huge portions and even huger calorie counts, has been thrust into the 2026 midterm elections.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Nakase changed her starting lineup in a move that paid huge dividends after Golden State fell behind 2-1, inserting Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes and bringing Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini off the bench.

— Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

The outlet suggested Lively and Reynolds were putting on a brave face for the cameras but struggling behind-the-scenes.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2026
In some seaside towns, brave locals take part in a Boxing Day dip—sprinting into the freezing sea to shake off the Christmas excesses, often while raising money for charity.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of brave

Adjective

Turning slowly, Snyder saw a magnificent bull with heavy mahogany antlers walk into the clearcut.

— Rich LaRocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026
The film, set in the magnificent highlands of Montenegro’s Sinjajevina plateau, centers on Gara and her 13-year-old daughter Nada.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Browse Nearby Words

heroes

heroic

heroically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heroic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heroic. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heroic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abandon

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes