Purple Heart
2 synonyms for Purple Heart, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
combat decoration
military medal
How to use Purple Heart
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart recipient
Purple Heart veteran
Always capitalised in the military sense.
Etymology
Named for the purple heart-shaped badge of merit instituted by George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, revived as the modern decoration in 1932.
Full origin of Purple Heart →Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for a Purple Heart?
Any member of the US armed forces wounded or killed by enemy action, including deaths in captivity and injuries from terrorist attacks on US forces. It is awarded on the fact of the wound rather than for bravery, which is why it is described as earned rather than won.
Is the Purple Heart the highest US military honour?
No. The Medal of Honor is the highest US military decoration. The Purple Heart is unusual in that it recognises injury rather than valour, so its criteria are objective rather than judged.
Should Purple Heart be capitalised?
Yes, as the name of a specific decoration. The drug sense is lower case: purple hearts.
