as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
the inspiring heroism of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the people trapped in the burning building
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Recent Examples of heroism
This movie has positive themes of heroism, courage, and the power of family and prayer.
—
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
In the years following Wallace’s death, this aura of saintliness likely derived from the combination of his moral seriousness as a fiction writer—his attunement to the heroism of private suffering and emotional endurance—and the fact of his premature end.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This woman who is, like, spending all of her afternoons driving from house to house bringing food to families, to me, that’s heroism.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s tense Himalayan rescue drama should appeal to fans of Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and their Nat Geo films about heroism in perilous moments of near-death crisis.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroism
Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
In the years following Wallace’s death, this aura of saintliness likely derived from the combination of his moral seriousness as a fiction writer—his attunement to the heroism of private suffering and emotional endurance—and the fact of his premature end.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
This woman who is, like, spending all of her afternoons driving from house to house bringing food to families, to me, that’s heroism.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s tense Himalayan rescue drama should appeal to fans of Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and their Nat Geo films about heroism in perilous moments of near-death crisis.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heroism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heroism
Noun
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It is composed of images revealing impactful events which, in themselves, are rigid blocks of courage for those who film and those who are filmed.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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From his transformative organizing and tireless advocacy in Chicago to his leadership on the national stage, his courage and conviction inspired millions and strengthened the civil rights movement across this nation.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Without your bravery and persistence, this new day would not have dawned.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Perhaps this was a mid-life crisis masquerading as bravery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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
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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
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That mix of stubbornness and courageousness is what endeared Snider to fans and peers alike.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This blend of folklore and physics effectively turned a cultural holiday into a showcase for national industrial prowess.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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The California native broke onto the scene with her technical prowess at age 12 in 2018, becoming the youngest skater to land a triple Axel in international competition.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But in its oldest sense, valor means the willingness to attempt something worthy, knowing the cost might be everything, doing it anyway out of love for the thing itself.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
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Leaving is often made harder by other cultural messages that mistake endurance with valor.—
Gabrielle Kassel,
SELF,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heroism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heroism. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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