reckless

adjective reck·less \ ˈre-kləs \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reckless in a Sentence

Definition of reckless

1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences

2 : irresponsible

reckless charges

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recklessly

adverb

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recklessness

noun

See reckless defined for English-language learners

See reckless defined for kids

Examples of reckless in a Sentence

He is a wild and reckless young man.
He showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
He spends money with reckless abandon.

Recent Examples of reckless from the Web

Schramm faced even more charges in connection with the earlier arrest, KATU reports — including attempting to elude on foot, reckless driving, criminal mischief, meth possession and more, police said.

— jared gilmour, sacbee, "Thief stole car, abandoned it and fled — until a glowing Lyft sign gave him away, cops say," 4 June 2018
Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to enter a program to battle his addiction to painkillers.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Tiger Woods is in a better place one year after DUI arrest threatened his career," 30 May 2018
The next leg of this season's F1 World Championship will take place on the narrow streets of Monaco this weekend, where such reckless driving will surely have more serious consequences.

— CNN, "Red Bull's Verstappen & Ricciardo crash again ... towing caravans," 22 May 2018
Turner was charged with driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, reckless driving and failure to notify the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles of an address change.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Surgeon who caused head-on crash was 3X over the legal limit of alcohol, NC cops say | Charlotte Observer," 11 May 2018
Zhu is charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of reckless driving for the injuries of Kevin’s mother and sister.

— megan cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, "Four years after crash kills 16-year-old, vehicular manslaughter trial begins," 10 May 2018
Yet, even before that ominous date, imagine this scenario: Mr. Rosado is arrested for reckless driving in a case of mistaken identity.

— latimes.com, "Costa Mesa City Council showed courage in its defense of federal law," 4 May 2018
Islamabad police also registered a case of reckless driving against the motorcycle driver, Nazakat Aslam, on Monday.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "US embassy officer in Pakistan is charged with obstruction," 1 May 2018
Marrow has been charged with making terroristic threats, reckless driving, and aggressive driving.

— felice león, The Root, "Watch: Police Slam Former NFL Player Desmond Marrow," 28 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reckless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of reckless

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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reckless Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reckless

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

RECKLESS Defined for English Language Learners

reckless

adjective

Definition of reckless for English Language Learners

: not showing proper concern about the possible bad results of your actions

RECKLESS Defined for Kids

reckless

adjective reck·less \ ˈre-kləs \

Definition of reckless for Students

: showing lack of caution : engaging in wild careless behavior

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recklessly

adverb

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recklessness

noun

Law Dictionary

reckless

adjective reck·less

legal Definition of reckless

: characterized by the creation of a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the lives, safety, or rights of others and by a conscious and sometimes wanton and willful disregard for or indifference to that risk that is a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise in like circumstances — see also involuntary manslaughter at manslaughter, reckless homicide at homicide, recklessness — compare careless

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