reckless

adjective

reck·less | \ ˈre-kləs

Definition of reckless

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

2 : irresponsible reckless charges

Other Words from reckless Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reckless

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Pennsylvania State Police charged 34-year-old Kevin Markay Souiyavong on Monday with vehicular homicide, reckless driving and several other moving violations, connected to the death of 56-year-old John Baum. — Fox News, "Truck driver was watching football game when he fatally hit biker, police say," 2 Oct. 2018 His critics denounce him as an increasingly authoritarian ruler pursuing a reckless foreign policy. — Karen Elliott House, WSJ, "The Making of Saudi Arabia’s Energetic, Ruthless Crown Prince," 12 Apr. 2019 Among James and Lachlan Murdoch, the two princes jousting for control of the actual empire, take your pick between Kieran Culkin, who plays the reckless Roman, and Jeremey Strong, who plays his ruthless but inept brother, Kendall. — Ben Widdicombe, Town & Country, "Confirmed: Yes, Rupert Murdoch's Family Enjoys Watching "Succession"," 8 Apr. 2019 Mattis was, after all, recommended to Trump in the first place because he’d gotten fired by Barack Obama for his reckless advocacy of military confrontation with Iran. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "There never were any “adults in the room”," 21 Dec. 2018 Delaware and Colorado are the toughest states on speeding and reckless driving, charging hefty fines and penalties, according to a new report from WalletHub that analyzed data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. — Fortune, "Speeding in These States Will Cost You a Fortune," 6 July 2018 But in the web series, Dawson doesn’t just seem to be asking whether the 21-year-old Ohio native is a reckless, attention-seeking entertainment personality, or simply a harmless prankster. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Mental Health Experts Want You to Know Before Watching the Buzzy New YouTube Series ‘The Mind of Jake Paul’," 12 Oct. 2018 Also incredibly arrogant, reckless, unafraid, petulant and unscrupulous. — Dylan Hernandez, latimes.com, "World Cup offers Argentina's Lionel Messi the stage to be on the same level as countryman Diego Maradona," 13 June 2018 His career has looked at self-regulation, self-knowledge, and self-control, exploring topics like smoking and reckless driving among teenagers. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "What do we actually know about the risks of screen time and digital media?," 17 Oct. 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.

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More Definitions for reckless

reckless

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of reckless

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

See the full definition for reckless in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reckless

adjective

reck·less | \ ˈre-kləs

Kids Definition of reckless

: showing lack of caution : engaging in wild careless behavior

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