courageous
Having great bravery
Courageous describes someone who acts despite fear, danger, or difficulty.
It emphasizes moral strength and deliberate bravery rather than recklessness—a courageous decision involves weighing risks and choosing to proceed anyway.
The word applies to both physical acts (courageous soldiers) and moral ones (a courageous stance against injustice).
Unlike brave, which can describe spontaneous reactions, courageous often implies sustained resolve.
Recklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- daringAdventurous courage
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
- intrepidResolutely without fear
- gutsyInformally courageous
plucky · spunky · venturesome · brazen · brash · nervy · ballsy · swashbuckling
Courageously determined
- braveShowing courage despite fear
- selflessConcerned with others' welfare
- sacrificingGiving up something valued
- championTop competitor, or advocate
warrior · legendary · epic · triumphant · glorious · celebrated · admirable · noble
Lacking dread or alarm
- dauntlessUnable to intimidate
- undauntedCourageously persistent despite difficulty
- unblenchingNot recoiling or flinching
- unintimidatedNot frightened into submission
stouthearted · lionhearted · undauntable · unshrinking · unfearing · nerveless · steely · composed
Fixed in purpose
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
unyielding · unflinching · unfaltering · persevering · stalwart · indomitable · unshakable · dogged
Honorably courteous and brave
- knightlyOf armored nobility
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- gentlemanlyWell-mannered and honorable
courtly · dashing · valorous · dignified · princely · gracious · magnanimous · high-minded
audacious
Recklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- daringAdventurous courage
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
- intrepidResolutely without fear
gutsy · plucky · spunky · venturesome · brazen · brash · nervy · ballsy · swashbuckling · daredevil
valiant
Courageously determined
- braveShowing courage despite fear
- selflessConcerned with others' welfare
- sacrificingGiving up something valued
champion · warrior · legendary · epic · triumphant · glorious · celebrated · admirable · noble · inspiring
unafraid
Lacking dread or alarm
- dauntlessUnable to intimidate
- undauntedCourageously persistent despite difficulty
- unblenchingNot recoiling or flinching
unintimidated · stouthearted · lionhearted · undauntable · unshrinking · unfearing · nerveless · steely · composed · cool-headed
resolute
Fixed in purpose
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
tenacious · unyielding · unflinching · unfaltering · persevering · stalwart · indomitable · unshakable · dogged · persistent
chivalrous
Honorably courteous and brave
gentlemanly · courtly · dashing · valorous · dignified · princely · gracious · magnanimous · high-minded · virtuous
- boldbold, brave, daring, fearless, audacious
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, valor
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- tough traitstough, resilient, fearless, brave, bold
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
- fire signsAries, Leo, Sagittarius, fire element, ram
- courageous leaderBold person directing others
- Captains CourageousSea coming-of-age tale