hero

noun

ˈhir-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce hero (audio)
Definition of heronext
1
as in idol
a person who is the object of extreme or uncritical devotion fans of the sports hero didn't care what the facts were—in their minds, he was innocent of all criminal charges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in submarine
a large sandwich on a long split roll shared a foot-long meatball hero with his friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hero However, in recent years, the state’s increased its controlling grip on certain aspects of expression, especially in regards to political figures with the passage of law in 2018 that bans criticism of the nation’s heroes. — Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Michelangelo’s statue of David, the Biblical hero who used a slingshot to slay the giant Goliath, was unveiled to the public in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy. — USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 What a hero to female Canadian golfers Imagine being Canadian and having to act like this is OK. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Three years after being a postseason hero for a championship team, Carter is still searching for the consistency to be a reliable everyday player. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero
  1. idol
  2. submarine
  3. icon
  4. god
Noun
  • Since then, she’s worked with some of her biggest idols in the culinary world, cooking alongside everyone from Jean-Georges Vongerichten to Masaharu Morimoto, Giada De Laurentiis, and Gordon Ramsay.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Another key innovation from this year’s lineup is the Xtep Float, which was seen on C-pop idol Fan Chengcheng.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of idol
Noun
  • Nuclear Children follows 18-year-old Isla Sparrow who, after the death of her father in a submarine accident, hopes to escape her grieving family and flee to university.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Once the submarine work was done, Ballard could use any remaining time in the expedition to search for the Titanic.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of submarine
Noun
  • Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Marvell Technology stock since the start of the year.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • During opening night of his 30-show run at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Harry Styles took a moment to honor country icon Dolly Parton following her death on Tuesday.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of icon
Noun
  • Some interpreters contend that the many gods are manifestations of the singular transcendent divine.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Named after the Roman god of the underworld, Pluto remained the solar system's ninth planet until the 2006 IAU vote.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of god

Phrases Containing hero

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hermits
hero
heroes
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Cite this Entry

“Hero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hero. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hero

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hero

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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