Courage
n.resilient, capablewarm
What it means
The strength to act in line with what matters despite fear, pain, or serious risk.
Reach for it when praising action that faces fear rather than pretending fear is absent
It took courage to report the error before anyone knew who had made it.
Choose between these
7- playful
informal daring at a decisive moment is intended
not when Nerve can mean insolence and says little about moral purpose.
- everyday
facing danger or fear is the direct point
not when Bravery can sound like a trait and may invite reckless displays.
- warm
inner spirit keeps someone going
not when Heart is broad and metaphorical, so it may lack the needed precision.
- professional
willingness to take a risk or depart from convention matters
not when Boldness may come from confidence or appetite for risk rather than fear mastered.
- formal
endurance through prolonged pain or adversity is central
not when Fortitude is patient staying power, not necessarily action in one frightening moment.
- literary
moral fiber
principled courage and integrity are both being praised
not when The phrase sounds dated and judges the whole character from one act.
- literary
heroic courage in physical danger suits an elevated register
not when Valor is martial and disproportionate for speaking honestly in a meeting.
Said against
3- cowardice
- timidity
- fearfulness
It naturally appears in
3- show courage
She showed courage by asking for help before the situation worsened.
- moral courage
Moral courage mattered when the popular shortcut proved unsafe.
- courage to speak
He found the courage to speak after seeing another witness supported.
Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, noun sense 1 opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.