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courageous
[ kuh-rey-juhs ]
courageous
/ kəˈreɪdʒəs /
adjective
- possessing or expressing courage
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Derived Forms
- couˈrageousness, noun
- couˈrageously, adverb
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Other Words From
- cou·rageous·ly adverb
- cou·rageous·ness noun
- uncou·rageous adjective
- uncou·rageous·ly adverb
- uncou·rageous·ness noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of courageous1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
It’s time for the courageous few to step forward and tell your stories so we can speak truth to power and bring about justice for all.
As we shared on Friday, we’ll close out Tuesday’s programming with a new conversation about courageous leadership with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.
“There is great hope in America’s future if we’re courageous enough to confront the past,” he adds.
Since our nation’s founding, so many courageous Americans have risked so much on buses, bridges, and battlefields so that we might enjoy our democratic freedoms, and so that we might continue the work of making our union more perfect.
“At a time when people across the nation are calling for a fairer, more just society, we must empower and equip students and educators to have these courageous conversations in the classroom,” Thurmond said.
This courageous act earned him a late-night knock on the door with orders for Serna to vamos from Cuba.
I still wonder what my wife thinks about her big courageous man coming home shaken, seeing my tears for the first time.
That was a much harder and more courageous decision than is recognized by those who oppose this opera.
On Nov. 1, when Brittany ends her short but productive life, I will be thanking God for her remarkable and courageous example.
The men who killed these courageous workers committed a heinous crime.
She chatted freely, discoursed on almost every topic, and during it all he saw what a wonderfully courageous woman she was.
None knew better than Victoria the value and rarity of a free and courageous soul.
The Virginia Assembly rewarded Pharaoh for his courageous act by giving him complete freedom.
It is a true saying that, if there were no dames nor damsels in the world, men would be less courageous.
He was a man of eminently fair character, upright, courageous and independent.
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Related Words
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More About Courageous
What does courageous mean?
Courageous means having, showing, or done with courage—the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain.
Courageous can be used to describe people who have courage, or the actions of such people when they face negative situations resolutely. A close synonym is brave.
Being courageous is often thought of as facing such situations without fear, but it also involves facing them despite fear. In other words, someone who’s courageous might not be fearless, but they face the dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation anyway.
Example: I especially want to thank our courageous first responders, who face danger every day but still, somehow, decide to show up and put the wellbeing of other people before their own safety.
Where does courageous come from?
The first records of the word courageous come from the 1200s. Courage comes from the Old French corage, from cuer, meaning “heart” (this ultimately derives from the Latin cor, meaning “heart”). The suffix -ous means “full of” and is used to form adjectives.
The heart is traditionally depicted as the center of human emotion, and the word heart is commonly used in a figurative way to refer to courage or bravery—someone who’s courageous is said to have a lot of heart. Being courageous means that even when a situation is dangerous or scary—when it makes your heart start beating very fast—you’re still willing to face it. Being courageous doesn’t always involve facing danger. Something as simple as telling the truth when it will result in negative consequences can be courageous.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to courageous?
- courageousness (noun)
- courageously (adverb)
- courage (noun)
What are some synonyms for courageous?
What are some words that share a root or word element with courageous?
What are some words that often get used in discussing courageous?
How is courageous used in real life?
Courageous is always used positively. It’s associated with heroic people and actions—like firefighters running into burning buildings to save people—but it can be used in many different situations.
Y’all are truly courageous, needed & appreciated. Thank you! https://t.co/Bo3vxJFDEF
— 🌞 (@raysRemedy) March 16, 2020
75th anniversary of Op Manna – An incredible WW2 operation carried out by some truly courageous crews to drop food to the starving in Holland.
I interviewed a number of those who took part for my new "Lancaster" book out next month. Incredible stories. https://t.co/siVgY80THn pic.twitter.com/kQ5b99rptx— John Nichol (@JohnNicholRAF) April 29, 2020
"To respect the opinions of those who stand against you is nothing short of courageous".#RaifBadawiQuotes
— Raif Badawi (@raif_badawi) April 19, 2018
Try using courageous!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of courageous?
A. brave
B. bold
C. timid
D. resolute
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