war-hero
Celebrated military figure
A war hero is someone celebrated for exceptional bravery or distinguished service during armed conflict.
The term carries strong positive connotations of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism, though it can be applied loosely—from recipients of military honors to anyone who served in combat.
Politicians sometimes invoke their war-hero status for credibility.
His grandfather was a war hero who earned a Bronze Star.
The hyphenated form typically appears as an attributive: war-hero status.
Armed forces member
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- servicemanArmed forces personnel
- servicewomanWoman in military
- combatantOne who fights
officer · commando · ranger · paratrooper · marine · infantry · fighter · enlisted
Courage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- intrepidityFearless courage
- daringAdventurous courage
boldness · audacity · fortitude · dauntlessness · mettle · grit · pluck · resolve
Suffering for conviction
- selflessnessPrioritizing others over oneself
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
- serviceAid or maintenance
dedication · duty · fallen · loss · casualty · memorial · commemoration · posthumous
Metal honor token
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- citationMention of a source
ceremony · parade · homecoming · accolade · tribute · statue · monument · namesake
soldier
Armed forces member
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- servicemanArmed forces personnel
- servicewomanWoman in military
combatant · officer · commando · ranger · paratrooper · marine · infantry · fighter · enlisted · decorated
valor
Courage in danger
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- intrepidityFearless courage
daring · boldness · audacity · fortitude · dauntlessness · mettle · grit · pluck · resolve · steadfastness
martyrdom
Suffering for conviction
- selflessnessPrioritizing others over oneself
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
service · dedication · duty · fallen · loss · casualty · memorial · commemoration · posthumous · remembrance
medal
Metal honor token
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
citation · ceremony · parade · homecoming · accolade · tribute · statue · monument · namesake
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
tale · folklore · ballad · chronicle · lore · storied · pantheon · immortalized · enshrined · venerated
war-herocoward
Person lacking bravery
draft dodger · deserter · traitor · war criminal · draft evader
war-herowar criminal
Violator of combat laws
war profiteer · collaborator · quisling · mass murderer · butcher
war-heropacifist
Anti-violence believer
peace activist · conscientious objector · anti-war protester · dove · peacemaker
war, hero, weapon, bravery, heroic, warrior, heroism, warfare, heroine