Heroic - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT heroic /həˈroʊɪk/ /hɛˈrʌʊɪk/ IPA guide

Other forms: heroics; heroicly

Heroic means having the qualities of a hero, such as bravery. Maybe on your daily walk, you see a house on fire, and you run into the flames repeatedly to save the family and their pets, including the fish! That’s heroic.

Literature offers many examples of heroic characters, who by their strength or their wiles or both overcame almost impossible obstacles. In Greek mythology, Hercules was given seven seemingly impossible tasks that he completed with heroic daring, Achilles was a warrior whose accomplishments in battle were heroic, and Odysseus showed his heroic qualities as he conquered monsters and men in his journey home.

Definitions of heroic

adjective having or displaying qualities appropriate for heroes “the heroic attack on the beaches of Normandy” “heroic explorers” synonyms: heroical bold fearless and daring
adjective showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort “they took heroic measures to save his life” synonyms: desperate brave, courageous possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
adjective of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope “heroic undertakings” synonyms: expansive, grand impressive making a strong or vivid impression
adjective very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale) “of heroic proportions” “heroic sculpture” synonyms: epic, larger-than-life big, large above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
adjective relating to or characteristic of heroes of antiquity “heroic legends” “the heroic age”
noun a verse form suited to the treatment of heroic or elevated themes; dactylic hexameter or iambic pentameter synonyms: heroic meter, heroic verse see moresee less type of: epic, epic poem, epos, heroic poem a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

Pronunciation US /həˈroʊɪk/ UK /hɛˈrʌʊɪk/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing heroic

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On the SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a U.S. founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 25 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Following our Roadmap to the SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.

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Do you know someone who's great, fantastic, stupendous, or wonderful? Master the words on this list, and you'll be ready to describe all the phenomenal folks who cross your path.

The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

On the New SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a US founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 200 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Here are all of our word lists to help you prepare for the new SAT (debuting March of 2016): The Language of the Test, Multiple-Meaning Words, and Words to Capture Tone.

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