Synonyms of courage

courage

noun

ˈkər-ij 

as in bravery

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger

the moral courage to speak out against injustice when no one else will

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bravery
• heroism
• gallantry
• courageousness
• prowess
• nerve
• valor
• daring
• fearlessness
• intrepidity
• guts
• hardihood
• virtue
• heart
• stoutness
• gutsiness
• fortitude
• daringness
• intrepidness
• dauntlessness
• gumption
• determination
• stamina
• moxie
• pecker
• perseverance
• bottle
• grit
• tenacity
• mettle
• spunk
• intestinal fortitude
• endurance
• greatheartedness
• backbone
• pluck
• temper
• doughtiness
• boldness
• resolution
• audacity
• fiber
• pluckiness
• temerity
• gall
• effrontery
• stomach
• cojones
• brazenness
• cheek

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cowardice
• timidity
• cowardliness
• spinelessness
• fearfulness
• weakness
• softness
• faintheartedness
• timorousness
• cold feet
• feebleness
• cravenness
• impotence
• hesitation
• poltroonery
• dastardliness
• indecision
• irresolution
• ineffectualness
• mousiness
• indecisiveness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word courage distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of courage are mettle, resolution, spirit, and tenacity. While all these words 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

When might mettle be a better fit than courage?

In some situations, the words mettle and courage are roughly equivalent. However, mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

When is it sensible to use resolution instead of courage?

Although the words resolution and courage have much in common, resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

In what contexts can spirit take the place of courage?

While in some cases nearly identical to courage, 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

How are the words tenacity and resolution related as synonyms of courage?

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

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of courage

Leadership today requires clarity about institutional strengths and the courage to build on them. — Irma Becerra, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

By having the courage to avoid ecstatic thrills and powerful peaks, Bowery Electric forces you to abide with the sound and absorb it without being able to do anything with it. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026

That woman, prosecutors said, went home and didn’t shower for three days, allegedly seeking to preserve his ejaculate on her body while working up the courage to report the incident to the Los Angeles Police Department. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

At a time when the world urgently needs courage equal to the crisis, Julian has helped redraw the boundaries of what justice can demand—and what communities can expect. — Christiana Figueres, Time, 30 Sep. 2026