COURAGE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'courage' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle , resolution , spirit , and tenacity . While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty. // the courage to support unpopular causes

Q: When might 'mettle' be a better fit than 'courage'?

In some situations, the words mettle and courage are roughly equivalent. However, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience. // a challenge that will test your mettle

Q: When is it sensible to use 'resolution' instead of 'courage'?

Although the words resolution and courage have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends. // the resolution of pioneer women

Q: In what contexts can 'spirit' take the place of 'courage'?

While in some cases nearly identical to courage , spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened. // her spirit was unbroken by failure

Q: How are the words 'tenacity' and 'resolution' related as synonyms of 'courage'?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat. // held to their beliefs with great tenacity

courage

noun

ˈkər-ij

Definition of courage

as in bravery

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger the moral courage to speak out against injustice when no one else will

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How is the word courage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words mean "mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship," courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

When might mettle be a better fit than courage?

In some situations, the words mettle and courage are roughly equivalent. However, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is it sensible to use resolution instead of courage?

Although the words resolution and courage have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

In what contexts can spirit take the place of courage?

While in some cases nearly identical to courage, spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of courage?

Tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of courage Leadership today requires clarity about institutional strengths and the courage to build on them. — Irma Becerra, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 By having the courage to avoid ecstatic thrills and powerful peaks, Bowery Electric forces you to abide with the sound and absorb it without being able to do anything with it. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026 That woman, prosecutors said, went home and didn’t shower for three days, allegedly seeking to preserve his ejaculate on her body while working up the courage to report the incident to the Los Angeles Police Department. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 At a time when the world urgently needs courage equal to the crisis, Julian has helped redraw the boundaries of what justice can demand—and what communities can expect. — Christiana Figueres, Time, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courage

Noun

What readers are saying The conversation explores the personal journey of the author in managing OCD, with many participants expressing admiration for the author's self-awareness and bravery in seeking help.

— Eva Jaber, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Accounts of her bravery move the country, money and compensation flood in, and her family is suddenly in the spotlight.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of bravery

Noun

Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.

— Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Through much of the novel, Fee will attempt to make his own story one of such comic-book heroism, to take on the mantle of savior.

— Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of heroism

Noun

In World Cup lore, however, his gallantry is doomed to be overshadowed by that of his fellow-goalkeeper from Cabo Verde, Vozinha, who had already produced an uncanny impersonation of a brick wall on the fourth day of the tournament.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
In all of these cases, the effect is largely the same—forging intimacy through some level of generosity or gallantry, coupled with pure, physical proximity—and in 2026, all of them are still technically possible.

— Sara Delgado, Vogue, 9 July 2026

Definition of gallantry

Noun

Parton, who became known for her entrepreneurial skills in addition to her music prowess, left behind a multimillion dollar estate, including the Dollywood amusement park.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Democratic and Republican 2028 contenders alike have been heading to battleground states and districts to boost their names with voters, show campaigning prowess, and make key political allies across important areas of the country.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of prowess

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“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courage. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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