courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

Synonyms of courageous

• brave
• fearless
• valiant
• heroic
• gallant
• bold

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

She was a courageous woman who wasn't afraid to support unpopular causes.

the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Recent Examples on the Web

The program will highlight the courageous and often overlooked women who played vital roles in the fight for independence. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Well, that and the cliff-diving ceremony that happens on the northern end of the beach every sunset in homage to a similar courageous feat by Maui’s 18th-century leader, King Kahekili. —Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026

Up against Inter, finalists in two of the last three editions and the current Serie A leaders, Bodo were courageous, organised and clinical (illustrated below), and booked a maiden last-16 appearance. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Whispers in May embodies the courageous vision of a woman director in China, where making independent documentary films is a precarious endeavor. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corageous, borrowed from Anglo-French corajus, from corage courage + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• outrageous
• disadvantageous

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or marked by courage : brave

courageously adverb

courageousness noun