audacious

adjective

ȯ-ˈdā-shəs How to pronounce audacious (audio)
Definition of audaciousnext
1
as in bold
displaying or marked by rude boldness with an audacious disregard for innocent bystanders, rival gang members opened fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courageous
foolishly adventurous or bold an audacious effort to start her own business with no real plan or funding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks audacious adventurers risking everything they had for a shot at glory

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of audacious An infamous Marin County man convicted of several audacious crimes won’t be released from prison anytime soon. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 The Brighton coaches and other bench personnel were on their feet in appreciation at the audacious hit from Brighton’s long-serving captain. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Changing tactics and targets The incident comes nearly a year after the Louvre was targeted in an audacious raid, which saw thieves steal priceless items in just a few minutes. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 Wilson’s whispering, Kermit-ish cadence juxtaposed with Heems’s audacious bars shorthands the borough’s rejection of one-size-fits-all characterization as one of the most diverse urban centers in the world. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for audacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacious
  1. bold
  2. courageous
  3. adventurous
  4. wise
  5. reckless
  6. daring
  7. brazen
  8. brave
Adjective
  • Elia Kazan’s 1955 adaptation of East of Eden is a bold prestige melodrama of the sort Hollywood rarely makes these days.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In a memo to Arthur Hays Sulzberger, the paper’s publisher, Markel urged a bold pivot.
    — Sam Ezersky, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bold
Adjective
  • Now in its fifth year, the Albies is the Clooney Foundation’s annual ceremony, which shines an international spotlight on courageous individuals who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of justice, often at great personal risk.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, sympathetic observers feed the need of protesters to feel relevant by praising participants for being bold, courageous, uncompromising and willing to endure abuse and hostility.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • The Sun in your sign trines liberating Uranus in your adventurous 9th house, encouraging you to explore a new subject, destination, belief, or direction.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For longtime fans of the brand, Ponant is a reliably luxe way to sail expedition-style to adventurous destinations—though as one fellow traveler and repeat guest pointed out to me, several other cruise lines now offer this once-rare combination.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • Personality-wise, this is their best dance and definitely Jenna at her most free thus far.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Happy birthday to this wonderful, kind, loving, caring, fun, funny, wise young man!
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • He was placed under arrest and charged with first-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and interfering with an officer.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • This reckless negligence was palpable at Bagram Air Base, where troops left an ocean of trash in the wake of their messy departure.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Season 1 was a ratings hit and the second travels further afield to open with a daring operation on the Mont St Michel, with other locations including the Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou and Montparnasse Tower.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The awards show has long been known for its daring, anything-goes approach to red carpet dressing.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Moscow's forces pounded apartment buildings, offices, data centers and a building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in downtown Kyiv in a brazen daytime attack.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • There are also three shields on the top deck, high up where everyone can stare accusatorily at whoever is brazen enough to grab one.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of brazen
Adjective
  • One brave Washingtonian has already embarked on a quest to taste and rate them all.
    — Matt Brooks, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The fact that our law enforcement family lost four brave men that day should highlight that this is not a victimless crime.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of brave

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Cite this Entry

“Audacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacious. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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