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The English language has no shortage of synonyms for brave. In fact, it even has two different such words from the same Latin verb, valēre ("to have strength"): valiant and valorous. Valiant is the older of the pair, borrowed from the Anglo-French adjective vaillant ("worthy, strong courageous") in the 1300s. Valorous followed in the 1400s, a combination of valor ("strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness")—another valēre descendent—and the adjective suffix -ous. (The form was inspired either by the Middle French word valeureux or the Medieval Latin word valōrōsus.) While the words can be used synonymously, valorous sometimes has an archaic or romantic ring, describing stout-hearted warriors of yore, while the more common word valiant describes soldiers as well as general kinds of bravery or effort.
Examples of valorous in a Sentence
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
This shows that organizations are making valorous attempts to support employee engagement and well-being, yet stress remains at an all-time high.
—Nenad Lazarevic, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Rossellini, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s BAFTAs for her role as the stern yet valorous Sister Agnes in Edward Berger’s Conclave, has a markedly different preparation routine during awards season.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
If capable, valorous civilians are unwilling to intervene, others are more vulnerable to attack.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Valorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valorous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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valorous
adjective
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