brave 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrāv How to pronounce brave (audio)
Definition of bravenext
1
as in courageous
feeling or displaying no fear by temperament despite considerable risk to their own safety, the brave team of rescuers rushed into the collapsed building

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wonderful
of the very best kind the gourmet food shop is off to a brave start

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brave

2 of 2

verb

as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage a soldier who braved enemy fire to rescue her wounded comrade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 brave
Adjective
Argonon was founded to create an independent platform for talent to be agile and brave, both creatively and commercially, and that enduring spirit is embedded in our culture today. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 So make your plans, grab your bravest friends, and let’s boo this! — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
The data collected from studying the crater could help scientists develop technology that would better allow astronauts to brave and traverse the hostile environment. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026 Dog walkers are staying inside, and even a Miami TV reporter known to brave the outside elements ran into the car and did a report from inside the vehicle. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brave
  1. courageous
  2. wonderful
  3. confront
  4. fearless
  5. lovely
  6. face
  7. valiant
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • Now in its fifth year, the Albies is the Clooney Foundation’s annual ceremony, which shines an international spotlight on courageous individuals who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of justice, often at great personal risk.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, sympathetic observers feed the need of protesters to feel relevant by praising participants for being bold, courageous, uncompromising and willing to endure abuse and hostility.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Verb
  • Anderson is performing at Soho Place Theatre and was filmed confronting audience members following a performance.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Duong recognized her father had really been writing to himself to confront an untold past.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of confront
Adjective
  • This caution is surprising in a writer who has elsewhere been fearless about identity and America, attentive to the country’s institutional capacity to humiliate, compromise, and implicate the people who claim it.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The fearless action and yachting photographer has spent 40 years capturing iconic images while dangling from the top of a 200-foot mast or diving beneath the keel of a racing boat.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • The Brasserie beside it, a continuation of the same vibe, focuses on French dishes with some good vegetarian options, and hosts a breakfast buffet with lovely local products.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The lovely south-facing casement windows in the living room are original; at the other end of the apartment is enough room for a second bedroom or office, plus a closet).
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of lovely
Verb
  • Brendan McDermid | Reuters Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warned on Thursday that stocks face mounting pressure from rising bond yields and the prospect of weaker corporate cash flows, even as earnings continue to grow.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Yet people who use drugs continue to face significant stigma in our health care system and in the broader public policy debate.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of face
Adjective
  • The Florida Panthers were able to mount a valiant comeback in San Jose, rallying from three goals down in the second period and scoring two in the third before ultimately falling in overtime.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a valiant effort on the water, that milestone failed to normalize a more ever-present female presence at the Cup for almost three decades.
    — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • There’s an excellent Anantara Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center onsite, but the highlight of the property is its 60-foot-long oceanfront infinity pool, which overlooks the entire expanse of Stone Town beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mikey Madison is excellent as a whistleblower driven by love, not spite.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent

Browse Nearby Words

bravado
brave
braved
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brave. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All