Valor
n.resilient, kindformal
What it means
Exceptional courage shown in the presence of serious physical danger.
Reach for it when honoring brave conduct in rescue, combat, or another life-threatening situation
The award recognized his valor in returning for the trapped passengers.
Choose between these
6- everyday
when meeting danger without retreating is enough
not when Bravery covers ordinary courageous acts, while valor gives the deed ceremonial weight.
- warm
when action despite fear may be moral, emotional, or physical
not when Courage is broader and less tied to conspicuous danger than valor.
- warm
when extraordinary self-sacrifice deserves public admiration
not when Heroism judges the whole act as heroic and can overstate required professional duty.
- formal
when enduring suffering is more central than confronting danger
not when Fortitude may be entirely private and lacks valor's active risk.
- literary
when noble bravery suits a historical or commemorative voice
not when Gallantry also carries courtly and gendered associations that valor avoids.
- literary
intrepidity
when fearless boldness is the precise, elevated idea
not when Intrepidity is rare and can imply absence of fear rather than courage despite fear.
Said against
3- cowardice
- fearfulness
- pusillanimity
It naturally appears in
3- act of valor
The medal citation described her act of valor without hiding the danger involved.
- exceptional valor
The crew showed exceptional valor during the tunnel evacuation.
- valor award
A valor award honored the porter who led guests through the smoke.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun sense: strength of mind in regard to danger; courage or bravery opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.