Study Guides/English/Brave Opposite Word
Study Guide · English

What is the Opposite Word of Brave?

The word 'Brave' is an adjective used to describe someone who is courageous, fearless, and ready to face danger or pain without showing fear.

The most direct and commonly used opposite word (antonym) for Brave is Cowardly.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the opposite word of brave?

Answer

The most exact opposite word for brave is 'cowardly'.

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Key Facts

Base Word: Brave (Adjective).

Primary Opposite: Cowardly.

Other Opposites: Timid, Fearful, Scared, Afraid.

Meaning of Brave: Ready to face and endure danger or pain.

Meaning of Cowardly: Lacking courage to do something difficult or dangerous.

Top Antonyms for 'Brave'

Depending on the exact context of your sentence, you can use several different words that mean the opposite of brave:

  1. Cowardly: Lacking courage; running away from danger. (The direct opposite).
  2. Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.
  3. Fearful: Feeling afraid; showing anxiety or fear.
  4. Afraid: Feeling fear or apprehension.

Usage in Sentences

To understand the contrast, look at these sentence pairs:

  • Brave: The brave firefighter ran into the burning building to save the dog.
  • Cowardly: The cowardly soldier dropped his weapon and ran away from the battle.
  • Brave: She was brave enough to speak the truth against the bully.
  • Timid: The timid deer ran into the forest at the slightest sound of a branch snapping.

Synonyms of Brave (For context)

To further build your vocabulary, words that mean the same as brave (synonyms) include: Courageous, fearless, bold, heroic, and valiant.

Questions and Answers

What is the opposite word of brave?+

The most exact opposite word for brave is 'cowardly'.

Can 'scared' be used as the opposite of brave?+

Yes, 'scared' or 'afraid' can be used as simple antonyms for brave, though 'cowardly' is grammatically stronger.

What is the difference between cowardly and timid?+

Cowardly usually implies a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger. Timid simply means being shy, nervous, or easily frightened, without the negative judgment of being a coward.

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