If you are boldly seeking synonyms for brave, consider valorous as well as courageous, intrepid, dauntless, and bold—all of which mean "having or showing no fear when faced with danger or difficulty." Brave is the most straightforward of these, implying lack of fear in alarming or difficult circumstances. Courageous carries a sense of stout-hearted resolution in the face of danger, while intrepid suggests downright daring in confronting peril. Dauntless suggests determination and resolution despite danger. Bold typically indicates a forward or defiant tendency to thrust oneself into dangerous situations. Valorous, which comes from Middle English valour, meaning "worth, worthiness, or bravery," suggests illustrious bravery and sometimes has an archaic or romantic ring.
Recent Examples on the WebWhat mattered were the valorous Vietnamese paratroopers.San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022 Outside of the White House, some recognized Kitt’s action as valorous. Scott Calonico, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2022 Breanna Jessop, from Myton, was named the USO’s 2021 Soldier of the Year for valorous service in Afghanistan this summer. Jeff Parrott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Dec. 2021 The 2020 defense policy bill removed a requirement that such awards be given within five years of a valorous act. Josh Boak, Star Tribune, 21 May 2021 Bonhoeffer had written his now famous Letters and Papers from Prison to Eberhard, who in releasing them had introduced his valorous genius friend to the wide world. Eric Metaxas, National Review, 26 Oct. 2020 Fear can make ordinary people turn valorous or villainous or just unattractive.New York Times, 3 Apr. 2020 Also valorous, and critical to the battle, were the deeds of Brig. Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, 6 Mar. 2020 James Atlas, who died last week, of chronic lung disease, at seventy, was a valorous combatant who knew both glory and defeat. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2019 See More
Word History
Etymology
valor + -ous, after Middle French valeureux or Medieval Latin valōrōsus