: strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery
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When Should You Use valor?
Valor in uniform is still rewarded by medals. Many American civic organizations award a Medal of Valor for physical courage, and the Air Force Medal of Honor displays the single word "Valor". The somewhat old-fashioned adjective valorous more often describes warriors of the past. But valiant is still in common use, though it less often describes military courage than other kinds of bravery or effort.
Examples of valor in a Sentence
The soldiers received the nation's highest award for valor.
the absence of indecision even in the face of death is the true mark of valor
Recent Examples on the Web
But the film has no time for matinee idols or Hollywood heroism, casting them as highly competent cogs in a machine that prizes teamwork over individual valor.
—
Thomas Page, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Riding out the tariff turmoil If passed, tariffs will create short term turmoil for independent protein providers like valor, however, there might be long term benefits if market dynamics play out the right way.
—Tim Clark, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
But Rankin puts Riel’s face on his movie’s fictional money, too — a pointed production design choice that’s at once a pun on Iran’s currency, the rial, and a way to award value to Riel’s valor.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the U.S. for valor on the battlefield.
—Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for valor
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Thomas Page, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Riding out the tariff turmoil If passed, tariffs will create short term turmoil for independent protein providers like valor, however, there might be long term benefits if market dynamics play out the right way.
—Tim Clark, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
But Rankin puts Riel’s face on his movie’s fictional money, too — a pointed production design choice that’s at once a pun on Iran’s currency, the rial, and a way to award value to Riel’s valor.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the U.S. for valor on the battlefield.
—Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for valor
Cite this Entry
“Valor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valor. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
valor
noun
val·or
ˈval-ər 
: personal bravery in the face of danger
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