heroism
Medal-worthy bravery displayed
Heroism is courage in the face of danger or difficulty, especially when acting to help others.
The word implies risk—physical, social, or moral—and a willingness to endure it for something greater than self-interest.
Heroism can be dramatic (the heroism of first responders) or quiet (the heroism of speaking up when no one else will).
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- intrepidityFearless courage
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
dauntlessness · audacity · daring · gallantry · pluck · guts · spunk · mettle
Prioritizing others over oneself
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
nobility · service · giving · renunciation · abnegation · offering · self-denial · ultimate price
Enduring courage under pain
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
steadfastness · determination · stamina · toughness · persistence · resolve · backbone · constancy
Honored mounted soldier
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
protector · medieval · code · joust · quest · damsel · rescue · knightly
Traditional explanatory tale
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- balladNarrative poem or song
odyssey · chronicle · demigod · champion · paragon · icon · beacon · legendary
Metal honor token
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- citationMention of a source
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- awardHonor given for merit
tribute · monument · statue · ceremony · honor · Purple Heart · Victoria Cross · distinguished
bravery
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- intrepidityFearless courage
boldness · dauntlessness · audacity · daring · gallantry · pluck · guts · spunk · mettle · nerve
selflessness
Prioritizing others over oneself
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
dedication · nobility · service · giving · renunciation · abnegation · offering · self-denial · ultimate price · greater good
fortitude
Enduring courage under pain
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
tenacity · steadfastness · determination · stamina · toughness · persistence · resolve · backbone · constancy · stoicism
knight
Honored mounted soldier
virtue · protector · medieval · code · joust · quest · damsel · rescue · knightly · courtly
myth
Traditional explanatory tale
ballad · odyssey · chronicle · demigod · champion · paragon · icon · beacon · legendary · immortalized
medal
Metal honor token
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- citationMention of a source
- commendationFormal expression of approval
award · tribute · monument · statue · ceremony · honor · Purple Heart · Victoria Cross · distinguished · celebrated
- mythologyZeus, Apollo, Athena, Poseidon, Odin
- mythsmyth, legend, fable, fairy tale, folk tale
- comic themesvillainy, secret identity, origin story, super strength, sidekick
- heroismbravery, valor, courage, sacrifice, gallantry
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
- valorbravery, courage, gallantry, fearlessness, intrepidity
heroismcowardice
Absence of bravery
cowardliness · cravenness · pusillanimity · poltroonery · dastardliness
heroismvillainy
Criminal or evil behavior
cowardice · baseness · ignobility · dishonor · selfishness
heroismweakness
Deficiency in force
ineffectualness · passivity · impotence · feebleness · spinelessness
- 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
- heroin addictOne dependent on diacetylmorphine
heroic, heroine, heroin, heroics, heroically, heroines, superheroic, heroisms, antiheroic