Synonyms of daring

daring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈder-iŋ 

as in adventurous

inclined or willing to take risks

daring acrobats who risk life and limb every day for the entertainment of the crowds at the circus

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adventurous
• bold
• brave
• fearless
• courageous
• audacious
• venturous
• adventuresome
• venturesome
• gutsy
• enterprising
• hardy
• dashing
• reckless
• impulsive
• nerved
• heroic
• gallant
• foolish
• emboldened
• valiant
• nervy
• free-swinging
• foolhardy
• unafraid
• impetuous
• imprudent
• daredevil
• intrepid
• stupid
• dauntless
• spirited
• thoughtless
• rash
• undaunted
• madcap
• wild
• incautious
• heedless
• silly
• dumb
• valorous
• brash
• hotheaded
• overconfident
• plucky
• hasty
• spunky
• mad
• headlong
• absurd
• unnecessary
• overbold
• stalwart
• gritty
• wacky
• swashbuckling
• insane
• idiotic
• unreasonable
• stouthearted
• lunatic
• crazy
• harebrained
• irrational
• stout
• asinine
• lionhearted
• nutty
• witless
• moronic
• precipitate
• scatterbrained
• brainless
• balmy
• greathearted
• gadarene
• half-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timid
• careful
• cautious
• unadventurous
• cowardly
• shy
• coward
• timorous
• prudent
• wary
• craven
• afraid
• pusillanimous
• unenterprising
• milky
• fearful
• frightened
• heedful
• overcautious
• startled
• scared
• terrified
• alarmed
• reasonable
• shocked
• wise
• spooked
• rational
• horrified
• sensible
• sound
• chickenhearted
• unnerved
• cool
• calm
• lily-livered
• sane
• affrighted
• poltroon
• milk-livered
• overcareful
• upset
• fainthearted
• levelheaded
• concerned
• worried
• sage
• terrorized
• dismayed
• appalled

daring

2 of 3

noun

as in courage

strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger

the daring that the early explorers of Oceania must have had

Synonyms & Similar Words

• courage
• bravery
• heroism
• gallantry
• courageousness
• prowess
• nerve
• fearlessness
• valor
• intrepidity
• hardihood
• daringness
• virtue
• guts
• stoutness
• heart
• gutsiness
• intrepidness
• dauntlessness
• pecker
• gumption
• bottle
• moxie
• determination
• fortitude
• intestinal fortitude
• greatheartedness
• mettle
• boldness
• grit
• pluck
• perseverance
• audacity
• doughtiness
• spunk
• stamina
• temper
• tenacity
• endurance
• backbone
• resolution
• temerity
• effrontery
• fiber
• pluckiness
• stomach
• gall
• brazenness
• cojones
• cheek

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cowardice
• timidity
• cowardliness
• fearfulness
• spinelessness
• timorousness
• cold feet
• softness
• weakness
• feebleness
• faintheartedness
• dastardliness
• cravenness
• hesitation
• impotence
• poltroonery
• indecision
• ineffectualness
• irresolution
• mousiness
• indecisiveness

daring

3 of 3

verb

present participle of dare

1

as in challenging

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

I dare you to repeat that to my face!

he dared his friend to race to the end of the block

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• confronting
• stumping
• defying
• braving
• breasting
• bearding
• brazening
• facing
• outbraving
• outfacing

2

as in confronting

to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage

every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confronting
• facing
• braving
• defying
• withstanding
• breasting
• encountering
• resisting
• standing up to
• brazening
• challenging
• outbraving
• fighting
• bearding
• affronting
• outfacing
• fronting
• meeting
• approaching
• standing
• facing up (to)
• opposing
• accosting
• repelling
• cornering
• combating
• battling
• contending (with)
• squaring (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dodging
• avoiding
• sidestepping
• shirking
• ducking
• shunning
• eschewing
• funking
• shaking
• escaping
• evading
• eluding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daring contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of daring are adventurous, daredevil, foolhardy, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of daring?

The meanings of adventurous and daring largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

In what contexts can daredevil take the place of daring?

Although the words daredevil and daring have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When can foolhardy be used instead of daring?

In some situations, the words foolhardy and daring are roughly equivalent. However, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When is rash a more appropriate choice than daring?

The synonyms rash and daring are sometimes interchangeable, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When would reckless be a good substitute for daring?

The words reckless and daring are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace daring?

While the synonyms venturesome and daring are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of daring

Adjective

Ceddanne Rafaela’s strong season at the plate continued with a patient and daring performance. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026

From the perspective of 2026, Thelma & Louise represents, with its mixture of thematic daring and commercial viability, an alchemy our mainstream movie industry seems to have since largely forgotten. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2026

Noun

The best of what was the best of the Crillon has been thoughtfully preserved, while the best of what is new (the bar, the barbershop, L’Ecrin restaurant, and the stupendous suites by the late Karl Lagerfeld) is gobsmacking in its boldness and daring. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

As time goes on, the stakes are raised and relationships forge ahead with much greater depth and daring. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

Verb

But for the first time in a long time, a horror movie this big is daring voters to look away. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026

TikTok users daring themselves to try the spiciest or, sourest foods and broadcasting the results. —Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 14 June 2026