braver; bravest
1
: having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage
a brave soldier
a brave smile
2
: making a fine show : colorful
brave banners flying in the wind
bravely
adverb
braved; braving
1
: to face or endure with courage
braved the rush-hour traffic to get there
braving the elements
2
obsolete
: to make showy
archaic
: to show courage : to make a brave show
braver
noun
1
[in part borrowed from French, noun derivative of brave brave entry 1]
: one with mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : one who is brave (see brave entry 1)
… none but the brave deserves the fair.—
John Dryden
John Dryden
specifically
: an American Indian warrior
2
archaic
: bravado
Synonyms
Examples of brave in a Sentence
Adjective
She gave us a brave smile.
He lost his brave fight against the disease.
Verb
Thousands of fans braved rush-hour traffic to see the concert.
a soldier who braved enemy fire to rescue her wounded comrade
Recent Examples on the WebMelissa’s Second Chances Staff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
This brave and daring artist has always been willing to challenge himself while remaining true to what his fans all over the world eagerly expect from his films.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024
Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 July 2024
The series often braved the uncanny valley: an undertaking that comes with the turf of casting actors to play figures like Chris Paul and Steph Curry, with whom the public has had a relationship for years.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 July 2024
Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
Today, with inflation running near 100 percent and an economy that could grind to a halt given a structural lack of hard currency, optimism is reserved for the brave.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for brave 
Adjective
Nala Breed: Terrier mix Age: 3 This sweet, brave girl was the most loving and devoted mama to her six pups.
—Melissa’s Second Chances Staff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
This brave and daring artist has always been willing to challenge himself while remaining true to what his fans all over the world eagerly expect from his films.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024
Verb
This summer, there’s no need to brave over-the-top temps or uncomfortable humidity just to get a run in.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 July 2024
The series often braved the uncanny valley: an undertaking that comes with the turf of casting actors to play figures like Chris Paul and Steph Curry, with whom the public has had a relationship for years.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 July 2024
Noun
Still, Marler braves on; he’s got his team to watch.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
Today, with inflation running near 100 percent and an economy that could grind to a halt given a structural lack of hard currency, optimism is reserved for the brave.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for brave
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brave
Cite this Entry
“Brave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brave. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brave
1 of 3 adjective1
: feeling or displaying no fear : courageous
2
: making a fine show : splendid
brave banners flying in the wind
bravely
adverb
brave
2 of 3 verb
braved; braving
: to face or bear with courage
pioneers who braved the dangers of the frontier
brave
3 of 3 noun
: one who is brave
especially
: a warrior of an Indigenous people of North America
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