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Definition Essay: Bravery

Some things are easy to understand and describe. A rose is a rose and a nose is a nose after all. However, other concepts are more difficult to interpret. Trust is one of these concepts. Understanding is another. Then again, bravery might be the most difficult word to comprehend. What makes one person brave and another not? How can the word bravery be defined?

Many people hold a common misconception about bravery. They believe that bravery is the same as being without fear. But being brave and being fearless are two different things. Many people skydive, do public speaking, ask questions, or enter relationships not because they are unafraid but because they are willing to overcome this fear. Or perhaps they are willing to go ahead despite the butterflies in their stomachs. To some, this is a foreign concept that prevents them from trying new things. However, others understand that “bravery is being terrified and doing it anyway,” as Laurell K Hamilton said. Being brave is ignoring fear for a moment and carrying on.

Bravery is also closely tied to selflessness. The book Divergent by Veronica Roth describes bravery as being the ultimate selfless action. The lead character states that “selflessness and bravery aren’t all that different.” Bravery is when you put yourself in danger to help or protect another. Mothers are brave when they give up sleep in order to comfort their child. Teachers are brave when they give up their own time to improve their teaching. Firemen are brave when they rush into a building to save someone trapped inside. Bravery is taking a risk to give something of yourself in order to make life easier for another.

Above all, bravery is instinctual. It is something that cannot really be thought through. Oftentimes, bravery is a spur-of-the-moment emotion that leaves little time to think your actions and consequences through. Brave people don’t hesitate. They can leap forward when others are still working their way through a problem. In order to be brave, one should not overthink situations. It’s an instinctive action that just happens. If you talk to someone that has just performed a brave act and ask them why they leapt into danger, their response is often “… I don’t know. I just did it.”

If there weren’t any brave people, the world would be a much different place. Perhaps it would be a sadder one, lacking in policemen and nurses. Bravery is essential for humans to work together and for the world to continue to change and grow.

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Definition of bravery

• gayety

Examples of bravery in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bravery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

borrowed from Middle French braverie "bravado, challenge, audacity," from braver "to challenge, flout, brave entry 2 " + -erie -ery

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Dictionary Entries Near bravery

brave new world

brave the elements

Cite this Entry

“Bravery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravery. Accessed 11 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of bravery, more from merriam-webster on bravery.

Nglish: Translation of bravery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bravery for Arabic Speakers

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Essay on Bravery

Students are often asked to write an essay on Bravery in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Bravery

What is bravery.

Bravery is the quality of being strong in the face of danger or pain. It’s not about not feeling scared; it’s about doing what’s right even when you are scared. Brave people stand up for themselves and others, even when it’s hard.

Bravery in Everyday Life

You don’t need to be a superhero to be brave. Standing up to a bully, trying new things, or asking for help can all be acts of bravery. It’s about being bold and facing your fears, no matter how big or small they are.

Bravery and Fear

Being brave doesn’t mean you have no fear. In fact, fear is normal. Bravery is choosing to act even when you’re afraid. It’s about overcoming fear to do what you believe is right.

Examples of Bravery

History is full of brave people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. They fought for what’s fair and just, even when it was dangerous. Their courage changed the world for the better.

Encouraging Bravery

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Bravery

Understanding bravery.

Bravery is the courage to face fear, pain, or danger. It’s when someone does something even though they are scared. Imagine standing up in front of your class to give a speech even if you are shaking a little. That’s being brave.

Types of Bravery

There are many kinds of bravery. It can be a firefighter saving people from a burning building or a child trying to ride a bike for the first time. Bravery doesn’t always mean fighting big battles; sometimes, it’s about small steps, like asking a question in class when you’re nervous.

You don’t need to be a superhero to be brave. Every day, we see bravery around us. It could be a friend standing up for another friend who is being picked on. Or it might be trying a new food for the first time even if you’re not sure you’ll like it.

Why Bravery Is Important

Being brave helps us grow. It lets us learn new things and become stronger. When you are brave, you can help others feel safe and also inspire them to be brave too. Think of a time someone’s courage made you want to be brave as well.

Bravery is a powerful thing that everyone has inside them. It’s not just for heroes in stories; it’s for everyone, every day. Remember, being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared; it means you do the right thing even when you are scared.

500 Words Essay on Bravery

Bravery is the quality of being strong in the face of fear or danger. It is not about not feeling scared; it is about what you do even when you are scared. Bravery can be found in everyday actions as well as in big, heroic deeds. It’s like when you stand up in class to answer a question, even though you’re afraid others might laugh. Or when firefighters rush into burning buildings to save people. Both are acts of bravery.

Bravery in History

Throughout history, there have been many stories of brave people. These stories tell us about men and women who did things that were hard or dangerous. For example, Rosa Parks was a brave woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus because she believed in equal rights. Her courage helped start a big change in how laws treated African Americans. History books are full of such tales, showing us that bravery can lead to great changes.

Small Acts of Bravery

Bravery isn’t only about big moments. It’s also in the small choices we make every day. Imagine a child who stands up to a bully to protect a friend or someone who tells the truth even when it’s easier to tell a lie. These small acts of bravery are important. They show that being brave doesn’t always mean doing something that gets you in the news. It can be as simple as doing the right thing when it’s hard.

Every day, we have chances to be brave. It could be trying a new food, making a new friend, or asking for help when we need it. These things might seem small, but they take courage. When we practice being brave in little ways, it gets easier to be brave when big challenges come our way.

The Importance of Bravery

Being brave is important because it helps us grow. When we face our fears and try new things, we learn a lot about who we are. We also learn that we can do more than we thought possible. Bravery can help us stand up for what we believe in and make the world a better place. It’s not just about being a hero; it’s about being a good person.

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• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 23 April 2024
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Tom Voigt 4 &
• Angela Dew 5  

Courage ; Heroism

Bravery is most commonly described as a physical response which is often reactive, spur of the moment, intuitive and one-off in nature. Bravery frequently involves physical risk through actions aimed at saving the lives of others under dangerous circumstances. Bravery is often used interchangeably with the term courage, and both may be considered to be necessary factors or elements of heroism.

The terms bravery, courage, and heroism are frequently used interchangeably. In this entry, we explore what is known about bravery and its synonyms to seek common understanding about what the terms mean and how they relate to one another. Bravery is commonly defined as actions in response to danger, risk, vulnerability, and potential injury. Jayawickreme and Di Stefano ( 2012 ) suggest that bravery involves the need to overcome one’s fear and act without concern for the consequences. Physical bravery is considered the most common type of bravery...

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Allison, S.T., G.R. Goethals, and R.M. Kramer. 2017. Setting the scene: The rise and coalescence of heroism science. In Handbook of heroism and heroic leadership , ed. S.T. Allison et al. New York: Routledge.

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Voigt, T., Dew, A. (2023). Bravery. In: Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_180-1

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Defining Courage: the Essence and Impact of Bravery in Everyday Life

This essay about the multifaceted nature of courage examines how it manifests not only in grand heroic acts but also in everyday situations and personal challenges. It highlights courage’s role in overcoming fear and embracing vulnerability, showing up in acts of empathy, resilience, and selflessness. The piece emphasizes that courage fosters community and inspires others, acting as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in both individuals and societies.

How it works

Courage serves as a critical component of human life, threading through our experiences and defining moments with its dynamic presence. It propels us beyond our comfort zones, enabling us to face challenges and uncertainty with steadfastness and determination. This essay explores the essence of courage, not just in heroic acts but also in everyday resilience and actions.

Courage transcends mere fearlessness; it involves acknowledging fear and choosing to act despite it. It’s the courage of a single parent balancing work and family, their tenacity shining through daily struggles to provide and care for their children.

It’s not the size of the act but the heart behind it that defines true courage.

Courage also emerges in quieter forms—like the introvert who steps up to voice their thoughts or the person who opens up about personal challenges to a friend. These acts of bravery, though subtle, are profound demonstrations of courage in personal authenticity and vulnerability.

Acts of kindness and empathy also embody courage. Consider healthcare workers facing long hours under stressful conditions, volunteers dedicating time to causes close to their hearts, or someone intervening in a difficult situation to help a stranger. Such actions underscore the altruistic nature of courage, highlighting its role in fostering community and solidarity.

However, courage isn’t without its adversaries. Doubt, fear, and uncertainty can dim its light, making the journey fraught with internal conflicts. Yet, recognizing these feelings as part of the human experience is in itself an act of bravery. Courage doesn’t require invulnerability but rather the acceptance of our vulnerabilities.

The influence of courage is far-reaching, inspiring others and generating a ripple effect of resilience and positivity. Like a pebble tossed into a pond, a single courageous act can lead to waves of change, encouraging others to act bravely and compassionately.

In conclusion, courage is a beacon of hope amid adversity, a force available to everyone, regardless of circumstance. It encourages us to confront life’s challenges and to grow from them, proving that courage is indeed a vital thread in the fabric of human existence.

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/ˈbreɪvəri/.

Other forms: braveries

Bravery is the admirable quality of being able to confront frightening things. It takes bravery for a knight to battle a dragon, but it also takes bravery for a shy child to walk into a new classroom.

You can also call bravery courage or valor . Firefighters are often acknowledged for their bravery, but everyday people also act with bravery if they confront their fears. Even though you're scared when you jump out of the plane with your skydiving instructor, the fact that you're doing it at all takes real bravery. It also takes bravery to pet a friend's German shepherd, especially if you are afraid of dogs. The earliest meaning of bravery was closer to bravado : "daring, defiance, and boasting."

• noun a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear synonyms: braveness , courage , courageousness see more see less antonyms: cowardice , cowardliness the trait of lacking courage types: show 12 types... hide 12 types... heart , mettle , nerve , spunk the courage to carry on gallantry , heroism , valiance , valiancy , valor , valorousness , valour the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle) dauntlessness , intrepidity resolute courageousness Dutch courage courage resulting from intoxication stoutheartedness the trait of having a courageous spirit fearlessness the trait of feeling no fear fortitude strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage coolness , nervelessness fearless self-possession in the face of danger boldness , daring , hardihood , hardiness the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger gutsiness , pluck , pluckiness the trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury backbone , grit , gumption , guts , moxie , sand fortitude and determination resilience the ability to recover readily from adversity or change type of: spirit a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character
• noun feeling no fear synonyms: fearlessness see more see less antonyms: fear , fearfulness , fright an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight) types: security freedom from anxiety or fear confidence a feeling of trust (in someone or something) type of: feeling the experiencing of affective and emotional states

Vocabulary lists containing bravery

Learn these words from the poem by Diana Chang and the autobiography by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton (Inside: Level C, Unit 1). Here are our links to the selections of "Decision Point": American Names , Saying Yes; A Lion Hunt , From Kenya to America , The House on Mango Street; The Road Not Taken Here are our links to the units of Level C: Unit 1 , Unit 2 , Unit 3 , Unit 4 , Unit 5 , Unit 6 , Unit 7 , Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A , Level B , Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

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Bravery Essays

What makes a good bravery essay topics.

When it comes to choosing a topic for an essay on bravery, it's important to find a subject that is not only interesting but also meaningful. The best bravery essay topics are those that challenge the writer to think critically and explore their own understanding of courage and fear. To brainstorm and choose an essay topic, consider personal experiences, current events, historical figures, and literature that depict acts of bravery. It's important to choose a topic that holds personal significance and can be explored in depth. A good bravery essay topic should also be specific, allowing for a focused and detailed analysis. Consider what aspects of bravery you want to explore - physical courage, moral courage, or psychological courage - and think about how you can approach the topic from a unique angle. Ultimately, a good essay topic should be thought-provoking and inspire the writer to delve into the complexities of human courage.

Best Bravery Essay Topics

• The psychology of fear and courage
• The role of bravery in overcoming adversity
• Acts of heroism in everyday life
• The impact of bravery in historical events
• The portrayal of courage in literature and film
• The connection between bravery and vulnerability
• Bravery in the face of social injustice
• The ethics of courage and risk-taking
• The influence of culture and upbringing on bravery
• The intersection of bravery and leadership
• Overcoming fear through acts of bravery
• The bravery of unsung heroes
• The dangers of toxic masculinity in defining bravery
• The bravery of standing up for one's beliefs
• The impact of fear on decision-making and bravery
• The bravery of speaking out against injustice
• The limits of bravery and the concept of self-preservation
• The bravery of forgiveness and reconciliation
• The bravery of embracing change and uncertainty
• The role of bravery in personal growth and self-discovery

Bravery essay topics Prompts

• Write about a time when you witnessed an act of bravery that inspired you.
• Explore the concept of bravery through the lens of a specific historical event.
• Imagine a world without fear and write about how it would impact the concept of bravery.
• Discuss the bravery of a fictional character and how it reflects real-life courage.
• Reflect on a personal experience that required bravery and how it shaped your understanding of courage.

Choosing a bravery essay topic that is both engaging and thought-provoking is essential for producing a compelling and insightful piece of writing. By considering personal experiences, historical events, and literature, writers can find inspiration for unique and meaningful topics that delve into the complexities of human courage. Whether exploring the psychology of fear and courage or discussing the bravery of unsung heroes, the best bravery essay topics are those that challenge the writer to think critically and explore their own understanding of bravery.

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The Idea of Bravery in The Literature

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The Vital Values that Comprise The Definition of Hero

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What It Really Means To Be Brave

• https://thoughtcatalog.com/?p=550931

The Oxford dictionary primarily defines ‘brave’ as the following: Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.  From the definition, I wager there are two parts to being brave – the ability to endure, and courage. To this wager, I add that when one is brave, two of these qualities have to co-exist, and they are both of equal importance.

In order to understand bravery, one must understand its opposite – fear. Fear is an enemy, and a cruel one at that. Most people don’t like to get to know their enemies but I am of the opinion that one must not only know their enemies, but it is infinitely beneficial to understand them.

Like most people, I have a fear of rejection and failure. These are supposedly the two contemporary greatest human fears alongside death – a long-standing human fear. But I also fear other things like contracting diseases (I have hypochondriac tendencies), drowning (even though I’m a decent swimmer), and being misunderstood – in an existential kind of way.

There are lots of quotes about overcoming fear so I will spare you the clichés. For the record, I have no problem with clichés  – they exist because there is usually some truth to them. But they are not needed here. The most profound thing I have learned about fear is that there is no escaping it. It is an enemy you will battle till death. Oh, the irony.

But knowing that fear is inescapable is exactly why bravery is of utmost necessity in life. Fear is the thing that paralyzes, while bravery is the thing that frees. Fear is the thing that chooses mediocre, while bravery is the thing that takes the risk of chance, a chance that could bring greatness or defeat. Fear always leads to regret, while bravery leads to knowing .

Bravery requires endurance because it requires persistence and perseverance  – that thing that keeps you going after the proverbial fat lady has sung and the show is over. Bravery requires courage because first you must make the choice to be at the show, and then to get up and sing too.

When I think of all the people in my lifetime who have been brave and who continue to be brave, I realize that bravery means many different things in different situations.

Sometimes bravery means being the person who stands out in the crowd, who speaks up, and who must be a voice, either the voice they need to hear, or a voice for others. Sometimes bravery means having the prudence to pause, to sit in silence, and to be okay.

Sometimes bravery means putting up the fight of your life, and fighting till the very end. Sometimes bravery means raising up that white flag, accepting defeat, and finding the will to move on from that defeat without resentment, and with wisdom.

Sometimes bravery means to search for the things and the people who make you feel alive; to take risks, to be a long shot, and an outlier. Sometimes bravery means to be grateful and content and satisfied with the state of your present.

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[ brey -v uh -ree , breyv -ree ]

Synonyms: boldness , fearlessness , intrepidity , spunk , mettle , nerve , audacity , spirit , pluck , heroism , prowess , daring

Antonyms: cowardice

• showiness; splendor; magnificence.

Other Words From

• over·braver·y noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bravery 1

Compare Meanings

How does bravery compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• courage vs. bravery

Synonym Study

Example sentences.

Were it not for the bravery and commitment of trial participants, this historic moment would not be happening.

On Twitter, many marveled at the footage, praising Wilbanks for his quick thinking and bravery.

Meeting at the confluence of bravery and fear, Butler imbues her plucky protagonist with stark vulnerability.

It was so spontaneous, and it was so honest, and it was in the moment – and yet, within that, I get to look at those that came before me, in one way or another, and I get to see how their bravery allows me to be brave, too.

In connecting with people in new ways, Cisco leaders were challenged to blend bravery with humility.

Here it is, in the faces of the victims, in the stories of bravery, in the souls and memory of the survivors, the next of kin.

In 175 well-chosen words, he sums up the trials and the grit and bravery of the civil rights movement.

This makes the bravery of Julia and Sveta, a lesbian couple, to appear in the documentary that much more moving.

He had been decorated for bravery nineteen times in his twenty-one-year career.

And she was 81: her death marks a shaming lack of bravery and innovation on the part of younger comics.

But the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.

Your indomitable bravery will suffice to frustrate the attempt to carry out their plans.

There was no doubting their bravery, of which they had given ample proof; they had simply reached the limit of physical endurance.

Pultusk and Eylau bore witness to his bravery and address on the battlefield, and Napoleon began to relent.

Organisation was his strong point, but he also possessed great physical bravery and many of the qualities of a commander.

Related Words

• fearlessness