Courageous

adj.resilient, capableprofessional

What it means

Showing strength to act in the presence of fear, danger, or serious pressure.

Reach for it when giving dignified praise for courage in a person, stand, or decision

The courageous witness returned to court after weeks of intimidation.

playful
gutsy
when informal admiration for nerve suits the relationship
not when It can trivialize grief, illness, or principled resistance.
everyday
bold
when initiative and willingness to risk criticism are prominent
not when A bold proposal may be ambitious without confronting fear or danger.
everyday
brave
when direct, warm praise fits a personal context
not when Brave is less formal and can suit small acts that courageous makes sound weighty.
everyday
fearless
when someone truly appears untouched by fear
not when Most courage works through fear, so fearless may misstate the person's experience.
formal
heroic
when extraordinary courage includes serious sacrifice for others
not when Heroic is an inflated label for ordinary but meaningful courage.
formal
resolute
when unwavering determination matters more than fear
not when Resolute people can persist without facing a courageous test.
literary
intrepid
when repeated encounters with danger do not deter action
not when Use a plainer word for moral honesty in a routine professional setting.
literary
valiant
when sustained struggle and noble effort deserve honor
not when Valiant can romanticize pain or failure that needs plain acknowledgment.

courageous decision
Resigning rather than falsifying the figures was a courageous decision.
courageous stand
Her courageous stand protected the interns who could not safely object.
courageous enough
He was courageous enough to seek help before the situation became dangerous.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.