Heroism

Courageous action that accepts serious risk or sacrifice for a worthy end.

Reach for it when naming bravery whose stakes and service make ordinary praise insufficient

The rescue required quiet heroism from people who expected no reward.

• everyday

  courage

  the inner strength to face fear is the main idea

  not when Courage can appear in small private acts that do not rise to heroism.

• warm

  bravery

  plain language should honor action despite danger

  not when Bravery describes the quality without the sacrifice or benefit to others.

• professional

  moral courage

  standing for a principle despite social or professional cost matters

  not when Moral courage excludes physical rescues driven by immediate instinct.

• formal

  self-sacrifice

  giving up safety or advantage for others is decisive

  not when Self-sacrifice can be misguided and is not automatically heroic.

• literary

  gallantry

  conspicuous courage in a dangerous struggle is meant

  not when Gallantry sounds archaic and may evoke manners rather than moral action.

• literary

  valor

  boldness in danger deserves ceremonial praise

  not when Valor has a martial flavor and fits poorly with civic or emotional bravery.

• cowardice
• treachery
• self-preservation

• act of heroism

  Guiding the trapped hikers to shelter was an act of heroism.

• quiet heroism

  The diary records the quiet heroism of families who hid their neighbors.

• everyday heroism

  Checking on isolated residents became a form of everyday heroism during the storm.