foolhardy

1 of 2

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhär-dē 

: foolishly adventurous and bold : rash

a foolhardy explorer

foolhardy investors

foolhardily

ˈfül-ˌhär-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

ˈfül-ˌhär-dē-nəs 

noun

foolhardiness

2 of 2

noun

: the quality or state of being foolhardy

courage … the mean between foolhardiness and cowardice

—G. L. Dickinson

Synonyms of foolhardy

Adjective

• reckless
• courageous
• brave
• daredevil
• adventurous

Choose the Right Synonym for foolhardy

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of foolhardy in a Sentence

Adjective

hikers who were foolhardy enough to remain on the summit during a thunderstorm

it's foolhardy to go hiking during late fall without warm clothes

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The idea that the security premium would vanish with an agreement to reopen the Straits is perhaps foolhardy, but as long as there are no major attacks, the premium should remain minimal. —Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Such foolhardy male striving, the movie suggests, is all too often destructive. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

However foolhardy, counterproductive and costly, cities have a right to challenge state laws. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 May 2026

But for this period of time, there were assumptions that were getting made that were not foolhardy, completely. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English folhardinesse, from folhardy + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foolhardy

• sephardi
• hardie
• lardy
• pardy
• tardy

Kids Definition

foolhardy

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhärd-ē 

: foolishly adventurous or bold

foolhardily

-ˌhärd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

-ˌhärd-ē-nəs 

noun