hi-ˈrō-ik
variants
also heroical
1
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
2
as in epic
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
an opera production of heroic proportions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
His resistance has been lauded as heroic.
—
The Week Us, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Calvin’s commentary emphasized clemency not only as a rational posture for a sovereign to adopt, but as a heroic virtue that is the essence of our common humanity.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
No application of armed violence can make the men with guns as heroic as the people who choose to stand in their path with empty hands in defense of their neighbors.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Turns out, the beloved cookie is getting a heroic makeover.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroic
The Week Us, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Calvin’s commentary emphasized clemency not only as a rational posture for a sovereign to adopt, but as a heroic virtue that is the essence of our common humanity.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
No application of armed violence can make the men with guns as heroic as the people who choose to stand in their path with empty hands in defense of their neighbors.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Turns out, the beloved cookie is getting a heroic makeover.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heroic
Adjective
-
Their courageous action continues to pay off today.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Do not just complain and comply, but engage in courageous resistance for liberty and justice for all.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, that doesn't mean his compositions for Rob Marshall's epic 2005 film — starring a who's who of Asia's finest acting talent, including Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Watanabe — aren't worth seeking out.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dawson’s Creek, which costarred Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, ran for six seasons beginning in 1998 and was a tremendous success for The WB, which had already found teen audiences with 7th Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
-
On the other hand, Zak Kuhr was tremendous as the defensive play caller in place of Williams, especially late in the season.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With Steph Curry in street clothes for the second consecutive game while dealing with runner’s knee, the 11-man Golden State put up a valiant effort that resulted in a come-from-behind 101-97 win.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
An eight-point halftime lead completely vanished, and after a valiant comeback effort, SMU point guard Boopie Miller’s game-winning shot was blocked at the buzzer.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Other artists have tried to tackle this melodrama by grounding us in specific characters’ perspectives, or by heightening the performances, but Fennell embraces the story’s fundamental absurdism by giving us absurd and often glorious images.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
That grandiosity simmers down into terrifying chase soundtracks and menacing hunter's heartbeats as the movie continues, but the after-image of those glorious strings lingers through the rest of the franchise.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And also there’s a huge music staff with a lot of know-how and really, really deep knowledge and contacts and relationships in that space.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bravo to ProPublica for asking for those letters, and bravo to the children brave enough to write them.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The dynamic Sun in your 11th House of Friendship engages with therapeutic Chiron in your 1st House of Identity, inviting brave shares within your social circles.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When the best that Dallas has to offer — from the architect to the builder to the landscaping and beyond — collaborate, the result is a contemporary home that feels timeless, restorative and magnificent.—
Allie Beth Allman & Associates,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Benito’s magnificent staging mirrored our strength and encouraged us to stay in the fight, in whatever language speaks to our hearts.—
Lara N. Dotson-Renta,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heroic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heroic. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
