valor

[ val-er ]

noun

1. boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery:

   a medal for valor.

   Synonyms: intrepidity, spirit

   Antonyms: cowardice

Word History and Origins

Origin of valor¹

1350–1400; Middle English valo ( u ) r < Anglo-French; Middle French valeur < Late Latin valōr-, stem of valor worth, equivalent to Latin val ( ēre ) to be of worth + -or -or ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see discretion is the better part of valor .

Synonym Study

See courage.

Example Sentences

Sheehy stands by his story, telling the Times that their investigation was “tantamount to falsely accusing him of stolen valor” in a Friday statement.

From Salon

“Broadway raise a high kick for our beloved tonight. Here is a sweet image of us honoring Terrence McNally for the New York Times some years ago for ‘Love Valor Compassion.’

From Los Angeles Times

Since that inane accusation that she was lying about being Black didn't really work out, they seem to think that calling into question the veracity of Harris' claim to have worked at McDonald's when she was in college is some kind of stolen valor.

From Salon

Vance, who has repeatedly accused Walz of “stolen valor,” doubled down on his attacks in a speech this week in a Philadelphia speech in which he joked that, “before the end of the campaign, Tim Walz is going to be talking about how he was carrying an M16 through the jungles of Vietnam.”

From Los Angeles Times

Vance, a former Marine, also continued his attacks on the military service of Harris’ running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, whom he has accused of “stolen valor” and avoiding a tour in Iraq.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boldness
• courage
• derring-do
• determination
• fearlessness
• firmness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• grit
• heroism
• prowess
• tenacity