Valorous
What it means
Showing exceptional courage in the face of grave danger.
Reach for it when describing conduct worthy of formal honor for bravery
The valorous medic crossed the exposed road to reach the injured driver.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| formal |
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| literary |
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everyday
Fits when straightforward praise for facing danger is best
Careful Brave is broader and less ceremonial, so it fits many acts that would not be called valorous.
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warm
Fits when fear was present but did not prevent right action
Careful Courageous includes moral and emotional risks, while valorous strongly suggests physical peril.
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warm
Fits when self-sacrifice is extraordinary and clearly supported
Careful Heroic can turn a person into an ideal and overstate competent duty under pressure.
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formal
Fits when bold readiness to enter danger is the visible trait
Careful Intrepid can suggest adventurous fearlessness rather than sacrifice for others.
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literary
Fits when no threat appears able to stop the person
Careful Dauntless may erase understandable fear and sounds inflated in ordinary praise.
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literary
Fits when noble bravery deserves an old-fashioned tone
Careful Gallant can imply courtly charm or male-coded chivalry.
Opposites 3
- cowardly
- timid
- fainthearted
Common phrases 3
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valorous action
The report recorded the valorous action of the two unarmed attendants.
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valorous service
Her valorous service during the earthquake saved several families.
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valorous defender
The memorial names each valorous defender of the mountain refuge.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated