Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Heroically

adv.resilient, kindwarm

What it means

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.

Choose between these

6
  • playful

    fearlessly

    the action appears bold and uninhibited

    not when People can act heroically while feeling fear, so fearlessly may misstate their experience.

  • everyday

    bravely

    someone acts despite real fear or danger

    not when Bravely is measured praise and need not imply exceptional sacrifice.

  • warm

    selflessly

    another person's welfare comes before one's own advantage

    not when Selfless help may be safe and ordinary rather than heroic.

  • professional

    courageously

    principled action continues under pressure

    not when Courageously can describe a private choice with no heroic scale.

  • formal

    gallantly

    bold conduct under visible danger is being honored

    not when Gallantly can sound dated or carry courtly gender expectations.

  • literary

    valiantly

    determined courage in a struggle suits an elevated tone

    not when Valiantly sounds martial when the challenge is quiet or personal.

Said against

3
  • cowardly
  • selfishly
  • timidly

It naturally appears in

3
  • 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.

Where this comes from

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