Synonyms for "brave"

14 kid-friendly synonyms for brave, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "brave" mean?

The word brave is an adjective that means: not afraid even when things are scary.

Example: "The brave firefighter saved the cat."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for brave

Younger kids can use these in place of "brave":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for brave

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for brave

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of brave (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of brave:

See the full brave antonyms page →

FAQ — synonyms for brave

What is a good synonym for brave in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try bold. For older students, "courageous" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does brave have?
We list 14 grade-appropriate synonyms for brave across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is brave a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, brave is used as an adjective.

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