courage

noun

cour·​age ˈkər-ij How to pronounce courage (audio)
ˈkə-rij
Synonyms of couragenext
: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for courage

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of courage in a Sentence

Eunice Kennedy Shriver … didn't buy into the propaganda of her day that women had to be soft and submissive. That took courage back then, because she grew up in a family that expected a lot from the boys and very little from the girls. — Maria Shriver, Time, 26 Oct. 2009
Sometimes when I debate whether to risk my individuality or conform, the memory of my son's picture brings me courage. — Sue Monk Kidd, Reader's Digest, August 1990
But as long as your courage holds out you may as well go right ahead making a fool of yourself. All brave men are fools. — Robert Frost 17 Apr. 1915, in Selected Letters of Robert Frost,  1964
She has the courage to support unpopular causes. It takes courage to stand up for your rights.
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.
The book features contributions from leading activists, artists and ordinary citizens, who tell their own stories of breathtaking courage, cultural innovations and acts of resistance. — Lizz Schumer, People.com, 9 May 2025 My performance tells American stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, and they should be told and appreciated by all. — Annette Hubbell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025 With the courage to ask: What does this mean in context? — Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 As their troubles escalate, the animals discover that revolution is just the beginning and must find the courage to stand up to Napoleon and save Animal Farm. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for courage

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor — more at heart

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing courage

Rhymes for courage

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Browse Nearby Words

cour
courage
courageous
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Cite this Entry

“Courage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

courage

noun
cour·​age ˈkər-ij How to pronounce courage (audio)
ˈkə-rij
: strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger or difficulty
Etymology

Middle English corage "the heart as a source of feelings, spirit, confidence," from early French curage (same meaning), from coer "heart," from Latin cor "heart" — related to cordial

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