heroics
Britishplural noun
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prosody short for heroic verse
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extravagant or melodramatic language, behaviour, etc
Explanation
When you act brave in an overly showy way, that's heroics. Sailing your little boat out into a raging storm just so you can brag about it later? Clearly nothing but heroics. Heroics is used to mean both true heroism and a bravado that often involves dangerous or ridiculous actions. Use it in the first way for real bravery, like the heroics of a firefighter rescuing someone from a burning house or an emergency room doctor who saves a patient with a serious injury. Used in the second way, this word describes false or showy bravery and can even describe someone's speech: "He bragged about his success on the soccer field, but it was all just heroics."
Vocabulary lists containing heroics
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We give him some gloves, and he performs heroics - makes some fantastic saves.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has made a habit of pulling out late heroics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Kupcho repeated her heroics with another monster, winning the match and sending the whole US team into raptures around the green.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
However, despite Ciganda's heroics, there was also a sense of what might have been for the hosts, who found themselves 6-2 behind at this stage two years ago at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Tomorrow old Mrs. Faulkner will show up at Ma’s place wanting to talk about my heroics in the bank a few days ago.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
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