The quality of facing fear, pain, risk, or difficulty and acting with courage.
Reach for it when honoring meaningful action taken despite a real cost or threat
Her bravery was clearest when she returned to guide the last passenger out.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when daring under pressure deserves informal admiration
Not when the act calls for moral respect rather than cheek
everyday
Fits when the broad inner strength to face difficulty is meant
Not when a visible brave act should be highlighted
professional
Fits when endurance through prolonged hardship matters
Not when one decisive act rather than sustained suffering is praised
formal
moral courage
Fits when speaking or acting rightly risks social cost
Not when physical danger is what makes the action brave
formal
Fits when courage in danger or conflict deserves ceremonial praise
Not when ordinary personal honesty is the context
literary
Fits when noble courage shown for others fits the historical tone
Not when modern neutral wording is safer
literary
pluck
Fits when spirited determination suits affectionate old-fashioned praise
Not when the subject or audience requires contemporary language
act of bravery
His act of bravery gave the trapped hikers time to move.
show great bravery
The witnesses showed great bravery by returning to give evidence.
quiet bravery
Quiet bravery carried her through months of difficult rehabilitation.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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