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

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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 However, the deft combination of punchy dialogue, tongue-in-cheek stunt casting and formally audacious video game effects paves the path for a second half that doesn’t remotely cohere. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 The Spurs are experimenting with something equally audacious and obvious. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 This agenda might sound overly audacious, given that Iran has been materially weakened. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Line of Duty showrunner Jed Mercurio is spearheading a pitch from Hat Trick Mercurio, while STV Studios, the production group behind Blue Lights and Criminal Record, has made an audacious bid to move the show to Scotland for Season 17. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 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
  • The backstory Opened in 2017 as part of Ritz-Carlton’s expansion into Southeast Asia, this was one of the brand’s boldest statements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Godfrey, who launched her namesake collection in 2018, has emerged as a distinctive voice in the independent fine jewelry market, known for her bold geometry, colorful gemstone inlays and modern interpretations of ancient talismans.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of bold
Adjective
  • Research by Harvard Business School Professor Ranjay Gulati found that courageous and effective leaders create positive narratives that guide them through chaos, often recasting their work as a mission.
    — Olivia Ludington, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The defeat coming against someone playing such courageous tennis is why Wawrinka’s triumph still resonates.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • The Original Series, Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And for an actress whose adventurous filmography spans the Hollywood blockbuster Pacific Rim and the offbeat indie Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, the role draws on more of her range than ever.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • The woman, too, speaks about this wise, educated man who is going to get the farmers together and make the world listen to the stories of deaths in these parts.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Coogan also played Uncle Fester in the original Addams Family, making a triumphant return to the screen as an adult—older and wiser.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • In addition, the jury found the two deputies acted with reckless disregard and awarded $10 million in punitive damages.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Chiu was convicted of murder, second-degree robbery, assault with a firearm and reckless evasion of police.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • The project has since taken the brand on daring and adventurous trips to the most remote locations around the world, all documented by Mollison.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • At the center of it all is the daring, epic raid on a bank vault deep beneath the streets of Zurich.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Lovato’s dress, courtesy of Fanci Club, was a deep shade of eggplant purple and topped off with a scarlet-red lace bralette, making for a brazen club-friendly outfit only enhanced by the even more noticeable shoes.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The photos and trailer released Thursday show Boyle as a brazen, ambitious college student who teams up with Garner’s brainy Ellison to launch their own cryptocurrency business.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of brazen
Adjective
  • There is no ‘Logan’ without his brave portrayal of Charles Xavier.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Bacon’s own utopian fantasy The New Atlantis imagines a brave technocratic future, and seemingly predicts everything from submarines to genetic modification and the internet.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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