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.
In 2022-23, fresh off her Euros heroics, Kelly was an integral part of Gareth Taylor's Manchester City side and started all but one of their Women's Super League fixtures.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
After his heroics for Sweden in their World Cup play-offs, which saw them qualify for the tournament in the summer, he is full of confidence.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Behind the heroics of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers defeated Denver in a 127-125 overtime thriller at Crypto.com Arena that secured a playoff seeding tiebreaker over the Nuggets.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026
They rehearsed martial arts in gentlemanly competitions of archery or horsemanship and recycled past heroics as entertainment in innumerable new stage dramas, literature, paintings and prints.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
Anya peeked at Misha, who was still being interrogated about his heroics against the Nightingale.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
