heroism

noun

her·​o·​ism ˈher-ə-ˌwi-zəm How to pronounce heroism (audio)
ˈhe-rə-,
 also  ˈhir-
1
: heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end
2
: the qualities of a hero

Examples of heroism in a Sentence

women who showed heroism by fighting for their right to vote the inspiring heroism of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the people trapped in the burning building
Recent Examples on the Web Sidekick to: Don Quixote de la Mancha Don Quixote may be the star of Miguel de Cervantes' deeply ironic, surprisingly modern satire of macho heroism, but Sancho is the earthy everyman. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Without inspiring heroism or tragedy in the narrative and the protagonist, All India Rank manages to engage and does so in one of the warmest ways seen in Hindi cinema. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 His dawning awareness of others around him imbues him with a kind of heroism. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Yet those instances of heroism and the CIA’s many quiet successes remain far less well known to the American public than the mistakes that have sometimes marred the agency’s history. William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024 Immediately after the shooting, officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, told a story of police heroism and said more children would have died without a swift law enforcement response. Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 None would answer the question except for Christie, who, with his annoying faux heroism, commended his colleagues and voted for Trump to be excommunicated. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023 So, for a head of state to willingly submit herself and her heir to the treatment regimen was an act of unprecedented heroism, and made a significant statement to anti-vaxxers of the era. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024 Rose’s act of heroism, new research suggests, is a surprisingly common one for surfers. Alastair Bland, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heroism was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near heroism

Cite this Entry

“Heroism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heroism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heroism

noun
her·​o·​ism ˈher-ə-ˌwiz-əm How to pronounce heroism (audio)
 also  ˈhir-
: heroic conduct or qualities

More from Merriam-Webster on heroism

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