Gallant

adj.resilient, kindliterary

What it means

Brave and honorable, often with special courtesy toward others.

Reach for it when praising courageous conduct while avoiding dated gender expectations

The gallant firefighter returned to guide one more resident outside.

playful
dashing
bold attractive style is part of the admiration
not when Dashing focuses on appearance and flair, not proven courage.
everyday
brave
facing danger or fear is the supported fact
not when Brave does not add gallant's honorable or courteous manner.
warm
noble
moral character and selfless motive matter most
not when Noble can overstate one decent action and has class associations.
professional
heroic
exceptional action protected others at major personal risk
not when Routine duty, however admirable, does not reach the heroic threshold.
formal
chivalrous
traditional protective courtesy is specifically intended
not when Chivalrous carries gendered history and can feel patronizing.
formal
courageous
serious moral or physical risk deserves measured praise
not when Courageous is more current and less romantic than gallant.
literary
valiant
determined effort against difficult odds is central
not when Valiant fits struggle and can sound inflated for social courtesy.

gallant effort
The gallant effort fell short, but it gave the second crew crucial time.
gallant rescue
A gallant rescue brought the stranded sailor ashore.
gallant conduct
Her gallant conduct combined courage with careful judgment.

Gallant can sound archaic and gendered, especially when it means courtly attention to women.

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