brave
Not backing down
Brave describes a willingness to face danger, pain, or difficulty without giving way to fear.
A brave soldier charges into battle; a brave decision risks consequences for the sake of principle.
The word suggests courage that's active rather than passive—not just enduring hardship but confronting it.
To brave something is to face it boldly: She braved the storm to reach the hospital.
The noun brave, now dated, referred to a Native American warrior.
Courage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- mettleStrength of character
- pluckSpirit or yank
daring · boldness · intrepidity · fearlessness · guts · spunk · nerve · audacity
Resisting authority or control
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- dissentingExpressing disagreement formally
challenging · disobedient · contrary · willful · obstinate · stubborn · recalcitrant · insubordinate
Sustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
steadfast · survivor · stamina · indomitable · unbreakable · recovery · tough · hardy
One skilled in combat
- knightHonored mounted soldier
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
savior · paladin · gladiator · legend · crusader · victor · vanguard · noble
One who investigates unfamiliar regions
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- voyagerLong-distance journey taker
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
mountaineer · expedition · quest · odyssey · safari · globetrotter · wanderer · pathfinder
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- precariousDangerously insecure
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
do-or-die · high-stakes · touch-and-go · dicey · treacherous · formidable · harrowing · death-defying
valor
Courage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- mettleStrength of character
pluck · daring · boldness · intrepidity · fearlessness · guts · spunk · nerve · audacity · tenacity
rebellious
Resisting authority or control
- resistantWithstanding external forces
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
dissenting · challenging · disobedient · contrary · willful · obstinate · stubborn · recalcitrant · insubordinate · unruly
endurance
Sustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
grit · steadfast · survivor · stamina · indomitable · unbreakable · recovery · tough · hardy · undaunted
warrior
One skilled in combat
guardian · savior · paladin · gladiator · legend · crusader · victor · vanguard · noble · epic
explorer
One who investigates unfamiliar regions
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- voyagerLong-distance journey taker
daredevil · mountaineer · expedition · quest · odyssey · safari · globetrotter · wanderer · pathfinder · frontiersman
perilous
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- precariousDangerously insecure
- dangerousApt to cause harm
daunting · do-or-die · high-stakes · touch-and-go · dicey · treacherous · formidable · harrowing · death-defying
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- Scoutingbadges, scout, Boy Scouts, campfires, scouts
- complimentssmart, talented, beautiful, funny, awesome
- courageresilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage, valor
- dog traitsloyal, friendly, loyalty, devoted, playful
- traitshonesty, ambitious, calm, kindness, caring
- be braveAct despite fear
- put on a brave facePretend confidence despite anxiety
- brave face
- putting on a brave faceDisplaying false courage
- brave soul
- home of the brave
embrace, bravery, bravo, bravely, embracing, bravado, bravest, braved, braver