brave

modif.

1. Courageous

   fearless, courageous, daring, valiant, intrepid, bold, dauntless, undaunted, undismayed, confident, unafraid, plucky, unabashed, chivalrous, valorous, heroic, adventurous, dashing, venturesome, mettlesome, forward, audacious, reckless, foolhardy, gallant, resolute, militant, defiant, hardy, doughty, stout, stout-hearted, lion-hearted, greathearted, manful, manly, firm, high-spirited, unshrinking, unblenching, dreadless, unfearful, spirited, game, strong, stalwart, unflinching, unyielding, indomitable, unconquerable, soldierly, unappalled, spunky*, gritty*, full of guts*, nervy*, gutsy*, macho*, with heart of oak*.

   Antonyms cowardly*, timid*, craven*, fearful. *

2. Making a good showing

   brilliant, colorful, high-colored, splendid; see beautiful 1, bright 1, 2.

brave

v.

brave implies fearlessness in meeting danger or difficulty and has the broadest application of the words considered here; courageous suggests readiness to deal with things fearlessly by reason of a stout-hearted temperament or a resolute spirit; bold stresses a daring temperament, whether displayed courageously, presumptuously, or defiantly; audacious suggests an imprudent or reckless boldness; valiant emphasizes a heroic quality in the courage or fortitude shown; intrepid implies absolute fearlessness and esp. suggests dauntlessness in facing the new or unknown; plucky emphasizes gameness in fighting against something when one is at a decided disadvantage