Showing determined courage in the face of danger or serious difficulty.
Reach for it when honoring brave effort, especially when the outcome was uncertain or unsuccessful
The valiant crew kept searching until rising water made another pass impossible.
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| everyday | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when an underdog's cheerful courage deserves affectionate praise
Careful Plucky can patronize an adult or diminish a grave struggle.
everyday
Fits when conspicuous risk-taking is the notable feature
Careful Bold may praise a gamble without establishing courage or a worthy purpose.
everyday
Fits when clear courage deserves a familiar word
Careful Brave is broader and less ceremonial than valiant, which often honors a difficult effort.
professional
Fits when acting well despite fear is the precise praise
Careful Courageous focuses on character or action, not the noble striving suggested by valiant.
formal
Fits when fearless adventure through danger is central
Careful Intrepid suits explorers and hazardous action better than moral courage in a meeting.
formal
Fits when moral elevation matters more than physical bravery
Careful Noble conduct can be generous and principled without facing danger.
literary
Fits when brave conduct has chivalrous or spirited grace
Careful Gallant can sound archaic or gendered, and sometimes means merely courteous.
literary
Fits when exceptional sacrifice or lifesaving action merits the strongest praise
Careful Heroic is inflated for ordinary persistence and can erase the work of a whole team.
valiant effort
The valiant effort did not save the old bridge, but it protected every nearby home.
valiant attempt
Her valiant attempt carried the team to the final round against far greater resources.
valiant defender
The book remembers each valiant defender without turning the battle into spectacle.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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