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 The audacious Pavlova Booty Alta has strong, unique lines with corset-style side boning that sculpted her legs, giving her a bold silhouette. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Some of the most audacious familial attacks — a departure from past campaigns when Republicans and Democrats barred their operations from such acrimonious hits — have come from Republicans, as polls show their candidates trailing in key races. — Dan Merica, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 The result was Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, an audacious experiment conceived by Wu-Tang affiliate Cilvaringz under the guidance of RZA. — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The Spurs are experimenting with something equally audacious and obvious. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 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
  • President Kim Noltemy’s strategy, to divide labor and empower an array of specialists, is a bold counter to the traditional model of the all-powerful artistic and music director.
    — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Unfortunately, negotiating with Uber and DoorDash takes time, money, and lawyers, and though those repercussions might show up eventually, and maybe even prove effective, e-bike cowboys are getting bolder, faster, and more defiant by the day.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of bold
Adjective
  • On Thursday, Newsom took what can only be described as a courageous stand, a risky stand — commuting the death sentences of the 548 men and women condemned to die in California, and instead seeking to change their sentences to life without parole.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • If open water ice-skating is too adventurous, there’s also a public rink in central Stockholm at Kungsträdgården.
    — Isabelle Kliger, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There are trendy accessories that aren’t too timely, classic leather goods with subtle logos, and quite a few statement pieces for the more adventurous dressers among us.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • Presumably reserved for subsequent seasons are his refusal to fight in Vietnam, activism, absences and comebacks, the Thrilla in Manila, the Rumble in the Jungle, Parkinson’s — though this is a good place to stop, arc-wise and art-wise.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • And as for Escola, the Tony-winning actor and writer's film-star curls landed right between Palmer's and Anderson's, style-wise, with a pageboy shape and that dramatic swoop teased and sculpted into an exaggerated shape for a cheeky finish.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • As per the synopsis, that changes when her reckless nephew impulsively rescues a baby gorilla from the window of a London department store and, ignoring her protests, leaves her no option but to take him in.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
  • California’s new Yankee masters were men of industry, which also sometimes looked like reckless plunder.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Last October, burglars made off with roughly $100 million in jewels from the Louvre in a daring daylight robbery.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • When Harry boosts a USB crypto wallet from a brazen young criminal and spoiled rich kid, Dylan (Will Price), Ben has no idea what to do with it—plugging it into his circa-1995 desktop personal computer sends the machine into a tailspin.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of brazen
Adjective
  • The outlet suggested Lively and Reynolds were putting on a brave face for the cameras but struggling behind-the-scenes.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In some seaside towns, brave locals take part in a Boxing Day dip—sprinting into the freezing sea to shake off the Christmas excesses, often while raising money for charity.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of brave

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audacious
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Cite this Entry

“Audacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacious. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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