heroism
/ˈherəʊɪzəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈherəʊɪzəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈher-ə-ˌwi-zəm ˈhe-rə- also ˈhir-/ (ame, mw)
heroism — noun
1. behaviour that shows very great bravery, especially when someone does difficult
behaviour that shows very great bravery, especially when someone does difficult or dangerous things to help others or defend what is right
Mei-Lin's heroism during the mountain rescue made her a local legend.
A firefighter received a medal for heroism after pulling three children from a burning house.
Ananya showed heroism by grabbing the steering wheel when the bus driver collapsed.
Kwame received a bravery award for his heroism on the night of the flood.
Fatima's quiet heroism touched many lives, even though the public never knew her name.
- bravery
more general and more common in everyday speech; heroism suggests a higher degree of courage in the face of great danger
- courage
focuses on the inner quality of being brave, while heroism emphasises brave actions that others can see
- valour
more formal and literary, often used in military contexts; less common in everyday English
- cowardice
the opposite quality of being brave when facing danger
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive noun or pronoun (her heroism, the soldier's heroism) or in the pattern 'heroism in + noun phrase' (heroism in battle).