bravery

[ brey-vuh-ree, breyv-ree ]

noun

, plural brav·er·ies.

1. brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor.

   Synonyms: boldness, fearlessness, intrepidity, spunk, mettle, nerve, audacity, spirit, pluck, heroism, prowess, daring

   Antonyms: cowardice

2. showiness; splendor; magnificence.

Other Words From

• over·braver·y noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bravery¹

First recorded in 1540–50; probably from Italian braveria; equivalent to brave + -ery

Synonym Study

See courage.

Example Sentences

Were it not for the bravery and commitment of trial participants, this historic moment would not be happening.

From Washington Post

On Twitter, many marveled at the footage, praising Wilbanks for his quick thinking and bravery.

From Washington Post

Meeting at the confluence of bravery and fear, Butler imbues her plucky protagonist with stark vulnerability.

From Washington Post

It was so spontaneous, and it was so honest, and it was in the moment – and yet, within that, I get to look at those that came before me, in one way or another, and I get to see how their bravery allows me to be brave, too.

From Washington Blade

In connecting with people in new ways, Cisco leaders were challenged to blend bravery with humility.

From Fortune

Here it is, in the faces of the victims, in the stories of bravery, in the souls and memory of the survivors, the next of kin.

From The Daily Beast

In 175 well-chosen words, he sums up the trials and the grit and bravery of the civil rights movement.

From The Daily Beast

This makes the bravery of Julia and Sveta, a lesbian couple, to appear in the documentary that much more moving.

From The Daily Beast

He had been decorated for bravery nineteen times in his twenty-one-year career.

From The Daily Beast

And she was 81: her death marks a shaming lack of bravery and innovation on the part of younger comics.

From The Daily Beast

But the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.

From Project Gutenberg

Your indomitable bravery will suffice to frustrate the attempt to carry out their plans.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no doubting their bravery, of which they had given ample proof; they had simply reached the limit of physical endurance.

From Project Gutenberg

Pultusk and Eylau bore witness to his bravery and address on the battlefield, and Napoleon began to relent.

From Project Gutenberg

Organisation was his strong point, but he also possessed great physical bravery and many of the qualities of a commander.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• courage
• daring
• fearlessness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• grit
• heroism
• mettle
• spirit
• spunk
• valor