heroism

[ her-oh-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the qualities or attributes of a hero or heroine:

   He showed great heroism in battle.

   Synonyms: intrepidity, fortitude, daring, courage, bravery, gallantry, prowess, valor

   Antonyms: timidity, cowardice

2. heroic conduct; courageous action:

   Pat's returning into the burning building was true heroism.

heroism

/ ˈhɛrəʊˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the state or quality of being a hero

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroism¹

1660–70; hero + -ism; compare French héroïsme

Example Sentences

They hailed his heroism—and told him they feared they’d just ended their political careers.

From Time

That’s worth more than the Medal of Honor he took home for his heroism in the zombie wars, and it’s enough to keep him from flipping burgers for the rest of his life.

From The Daily Beast

John Walker’s behavior stands in stark contrast not only to that of Steve but T’Challa and Peter Parker and Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau and any other Avenger imbued with powers after proving their heroism or through sheer accident.

From Time

Elisabetta is just one of the novel’s many strong female characters who perform countless acts of heroism in aid of family, friends and country.

From Washington Post

None of this is sufficient to illuminate the remarkable acts of heroism and cruelty these characters carry out.

From Time

The game has become our modern Passion Play, self-destruction as our highest form of heroism.

From The Daily Beast

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, our devotion to those ideals has only been strengthened by the selfless heroism we have seen.

From The Daily Beast

Thousands cheered for Ukrainian unity and heroism as the blue-and-yellow flags of their country flapped in the late summer sun.

From The Daily Beast

Hamlet refused to accept that heroism was his destiny, because of the behavior it required.

From The Daily Beast

Both were endowed with unusual attractions of person, spirits invigorated by enthusiasm, and the loftiest heroism.

From Project Gutenberg

The primitive church, indeed, treasured up these memories of moral heroism as her most precious legacy to after times.

From Project Gutenberg

Virtue and heroism went hand in hand; and both virtue and heroism were the result of their religion.

From Project Gutenberg

The glow of conscious heroism warmed me, even like last night's dinner, to sympathy with my kind.

From Project Gutenberg

The reader must not feel surprised at the virile heroism Carmela displayed under the present circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boldness
• courage
• daring
• fearlessness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• nobility
• prowess
• spirit
• valor