What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mettle
Example
The team showed their mettle by coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win the game. [mettle: noun]
Example
She proved her mettle by standing up to the bullies and defending her friend. [mettle: noun]
bravery
Example
The firefighter showed great bravery when he entered the burning building to save the trapped family. [bravery: noun]
Example
She bravely faced her fears and jumped off the high diving board. [bravely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bravery is more commonly used than mettle in everyday language. Bravery is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mettle is less common and more formal, often used in specific contexts such as sports or military.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mettle and bravery?
Mettle is generally considered more formal than bravery. While bravery can be used in both formal and informal contexts, mettle is typically reserved for more formal or specialized situations.
