With exceptional courage or self-sacrifice in the face of serious difficulty.
Reach for it when crediting brave action when the stakes justify stronger praise than merely well
The crew worked heroically to keep the fire from reaching the homes.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when the action appears bold and uninhibited
Careful People can act heroically while feeling fear, so fearlessly may misstate their experience.
everyday
Fits when someone acts despite real fear or danger
Careful Bravely is measured praise and need not imply exceptional sacrifice.
warm
Fits when another person's welfare comes before one's own advantage
Careful Selfless help may be safe and ordinary rather than heroic.
professional
Fits when principled action continues under pressure
Careful Courageously can describe a private choice with no heroic scale.
formal
Fits when bold conduct under visible danger is being honored
Careful Gallantly can sound dated or carry courtly gender expectations.
literary
Fits when determined courage in a struggle suits an elevated tone
Careful Valiantly sounds martial when the challenge is quiet or personal.
fought heroically
Volunteers fought heroically to save the historic orchard from the blaze.
responded heroically
The ferry crew responded heroically when the engine room flooded.
acted heroically
Several bystanders acted heroically without waiting to be recognized.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.