heroics
Bold, dramatic acts
Heroics refers to bold, dramatic actions or behavior, often with a slightly dismissive connotation suggesting the actions are excessive, unnecessary, or done for show rather than genuine necessity.
We don't need any heroics—just follow the procedure.
The word can also describe brave deeds in a more neutral or admiring sense, particularly in sports or emergency situations: His late-game heroics saved the team from elimination.
Heroics sometimes characterizes extravagantly dramatic speech or writing.
Fortitude facing danger
- valorCourage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
intrepidity · boldness · pluck · mettle · grit · dauntlessness · audacity · stoutheartedness
Notable daring actions
- stuntsDangerous performed feats
- deedsActions or legal titles
- achievementsCompleted goals worth noting
- accomplishmentsCompleted notable deeds
triumphs · escapades · adventures · acrobatics · spectacles · marvels · tour de force · rescues
Prioritizing others over oneself
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- nobilityTitled ruling class
self-sacrifice · ultimate sacrifice · giving all · renunciation · noble death
Exaggerated dramatic behavior
- dramaticsTheatrical art or behavior
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
posturing · swagger · bluster · histrionics · over-the-top · dramatic flair · attention-seeking · scene-stealing
courage
Fortitude facing danger
- valorCourage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
fortitude · intrepidity · boldness · pluck · mettle · grit · dauntlessness · audacity · stoutheartedness · backbone
exploits
Notable daring actions
- stuntsDangerous performed feats
- deedsActions or legal titles
- achievementsCompleted goals worth noting
accomplishments · triumphs · escapades · adventures · acrobatics · spectacles · marvels · tour de force · rescues · death-defying acts
selflessness
Prioritizing others over oneself
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
nobility · self-sacrifice · ultimate sacrifice · giving all · renunciation · noble death
theatrics
Exaggerated dramatic behavior
- dramaticsTheatrical art or behavior
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
bravado · posturing · swagger · bluster · histrionics · over-the-top · dramatic flair · attention-seeking · scene-stealing · showmanship
mythology
Body of traditional tales
legendary tales · Homeric · Iliad · Beowulf · Gilgamesh · Mahabharata · Ramayana · Aeneid · folklore · ballads
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
heroicscowardice
Absence of bravery
timidity · fearfulness · pusillanimity · faintheartedness · chickening out
heroicsrestraint
Control over impulses
modesty · understatement · humility · subtlety · self-effacement
heroicsvillainy
Criminal or evil behavior
treachery · cruelty · wickedness · infamy · abandonment
- heroic taleStory of great deeds
- heroic questsCourageous journeys seeking greatness
- heroic battlesFights requiring great bravery
- heroic deedsCourageous acts of valor
- heroic epicsLong poems about legendary champions
- heroic sacrificeDying to save others