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 Frances Haugen is the conscience and the true hero of The Social Reckoning, and Sorkin knows it. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Hernández is arguably the most consistently unlikely postseason hero in Dodgers history. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Released earlier this year, Project Hail Mary is a movie based on Andy Weir's book, featuring Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a teacher and reluctant hero. — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Padina pavonica, a Mediterranean algae, also appears throughout the Pro-Collagen collection, including the Marine Cream, which has been a hero product for more than two decades. — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hero
  1. idol
  2. submarine
  3. icon
  4. god
Noun
  • Back at camp, everyone is so excited about their first challenge win that Jelly uses the opportunity to go idol hunting and finds her tribe’s idol.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Then, after walking for a couple of blocks, directing withering sneers at the policeman’s reddish face, which was as impassive as that of a stone idol, Gleb cooled down and succumbed to boredom.
    — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of idol
Noun
  • Destined for the Italian Navy, the U212NFS submarines class represents a substantial evolution compared to to its U212A predecessors.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In the film, which earned more than $598 million worldwide, Tillman portrays Captain Bledsoe, a submarine operator who assists Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) in his mission to defeat an artificial intelligence villain.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of submarine
Noun
  • The Yankees are an organization of icons, of men who became monuments.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Miley spent a lot of this year reconciling her relationship with Hannah Montana and receiving her flowers as a generational music, TV and cultural icon.
    — Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of icon
Noun
  • The tall temples feature square bases and conical towers adorned with intricate stone carvings of gods and mythical animals, with the three largest structures dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The oracle was a priestess who entered a trance state to convey answers from Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy.
    — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hero

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hero

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