courageous

adjective

cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
Synonyms of courageous
: having or characterized by courage : brave
a courageous soldier
a courageous decision
courageously adverb
courageousness noun

Synonyms of courageous

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 Those early songs and some of that stuff was so courageous, so good. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 The current climate demands bold, courageous leadership to defend our constitutional freedoms. — Jack Springgate, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Featuring seascape settings and insightful dialogue, this coastal noir tale delivers important ideas with a courageous heart. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courageous

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of courageous was in the 14th century

Rhymes for courageous

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Browse Nearby Words

courage
courageous
courageously
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Cite this Entry

“Courageous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courageous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courageous

adjective
cou·​ra·​geous kə-ˈrā-jəs How to pronounce courageous (audio)
: having or marked by courage : brave
courageously adverb
courageousness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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