Hero Synonyms | With Examples
Hero is a noun meaning “a courageous or admirable person.” A hero can be a real person, a mythological figure, or a character from fiction.
Some synonyms for hero are:
- Role model
- Idol
- Paladin
- Savior
- Champion
- Paragon
- Conqueror
- Victor
- Knight
- Legend
- Protagonist
- Lead
Table of contents
Synonyms for hero
Some synonyms for hero may be stronger matches than others depending on what exactly you want to convey.
For example, for a real-life admirable or courageous person, synonyms like “role model” or “idol” are great matches. For a fictional character, use “protagonist” to clarify that you’re talking about a hero from a story. However, “protagonist” isn’t a good fit when talking about a real-life hero.
Also note that some synonyms may require you to rewrite your sentence slightly. For example, someone could be a “brave hero,” where the adjective “brave” describes the hero. We could also call that same person a “paragon of bravery,” where the description of them being “brave” follows the synonym in a prepositional phrase.
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you choose good synonyms for hero for your intended meaning and make sure they fit correctly in your text.
| Match | Synonym | Hero example | Synonym example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest | Role model | My father is my greatest hero. | My father is my greatest role model. |
| Idol | Leo Messi is a hero for many children around the world. | Leo Messi is an idol for many children around the world. | |
| Paladin | My aunt was a hero of the Civil Rights Movement. | My aunt was a paladin of the Civil Rights Movement. | |
| Savior | The man who pulled me from the wreckage will forever be my hero. | The man who pulled me from the wreckage will forever be my savior. | |
| Strong | Champion | She came back from the Olympics as a national hero. | She came back from the Olympics as a national champion. |
| Paragon | She was a brave hero, inspiring everyone around her with her selflessness. | She was a paragon of bravery, inspiring everyone around her with her selflessness. | |
| Conqueror | Alexander the Great was a great hero. | Alexander the Great was a great conqueror. | |
| Victor | She emerged from the intense battle as a hero. | She emerged from the intense battle as a victor. | |
| Weak | Knight | As a hero of the realm, he protected his kingdom with honor and courage. | As a knight of the realm, he protected his kingdom with honor and courage. |
| Legend | Stories of their brave acts made them heroes centuries after they died. | Stories of their brave acts made them legends centuries after they died. | |
| Protagonist | Harry Potter is the eponymous hero of the famous book series. . | Harry Potter is the eponymous protagonist of the famous book series. | |
| Lead | This is a film where it’s hard to say who is the main hero. | This is a film where it’s hard to say who is the main lead. |
In this context, some synonyms for hero are:
- Submarine (or “sub”)
- Hoagie (or “hoagy”)
- Poor boy (or “po’boy”)
- Grinder
Be mindful when forming the plural of hero, because whether you need heros or heroes depends on what you want to express. If you’re talking about multiple sandwiches, use “heros” (e.g., “We ordered three Italian heros for lunch”). When talking about various champions, use “heroes” (e.g., “The three of them are all heroes of the movement”).
Frequently asked questions about hero synonyms
- What’s a synonym for tragic hero?
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A “tragic hero” is the protagonist of a story who, despite admirable qualities, meets a tragic fate.
Some synonyms for “tragic hero” are:
- Flawed hero
- Doomed hero
- Ill-fated hero
- Star-crossed hero
You could also take a synonym for hero that matches your intended meaning and add an adjective to show that the hero is destined for tragedy or is a victim to dramatic irony.
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can also help you find other words to express your intended meaning.
- What’s a synonym for anti hero?
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An “antihero” is a protagonist who lacks the qualities of a traditional hero.
Some synonyms for “antihero” are:
- Flawed hero
- Byronic hero
- Reluctant hero
- Bad guy
- Baddie
- Scoundrel
- Rascal
- Outlaw
Use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find synonyms for hero, antihero, and other words like this.
- What’s the meaning of unsung hero?
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An “unsung hero” is a hero who does valuable, often challenging work without receiving recognition or praise for their contributions.
“Unsung heroes” make a significant impact but go largely unnoticed, with their efforts sometimes taken for granted.
An “unsung hero” could be a real person (e.g., Claudette Colvin, who preceded Rosa Parks in the Montgomery bus protests) or a fictional protagonist (e.g., Samwise Gamgee, who is mostly overshadowed by Frodo).
A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you’re using phrases like “unsung hero” correctly.
- What is the opposite of hero?
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Some opposites of “hero” are:
- Villain
- Antagonist
- Coward
- Loser
- Bad example
- Oppressor
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find more opposites of “hero” or synonyms for hero that fit your writing.
