courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or characterized by courage : brave

a courageous soldier

a courageous decision

courageously adverb

courageousness noun

Synonyms of courageous

• brave
• fearless
• valiant
• heroic
• gallant
• bold

Examples of courageous in a Sentence

She was a courageous woman who wasn't afraid to support unpopular causes.

the courageous decision to quit rather than obey an illegal order

Recent Examples on the Web

First, four courageous astronauts successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center aboard Artemis II, which will attempt the first lunar flyby in more than 50 years. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026

Help keep the center courageous. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

The honors, which were announced March 31, recognize the most compelling, rigorous and courageous environmental journalism across all media formats. —Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Others fell in love with the small corgi walking at the front of the group, at times circling back like a courageous leader making sure nobody got left behind. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corageous, borrowed from Anglo-French corajus, from corage courage + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• outrageous
• disadvantageous

Kids Definition

courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs 

: having or marked by courage : brave

courageously adverb

courageousness noun