BOLD Synonyms: 439 Similar and Opposite Words

bold

adjective

ˈbōld

Definition of bold

as in adventurous

inclined or willing to take risks our youngest brother was the boldest one in the family, instantly taking to everything from skiing to skateboarding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wise

displaying or marked by rude boldness you're a bold little brat for trying to steal my stuff while I'm right here

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention an interior decorator who likes to use bold colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in familiar

showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty a bold child who interrupts the adults at his parents' parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in steep

having an incline approaching the perpendicular the advanced climbers chose a bold cliff to test themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courageous

feeling or displaying no fear by temperament the bold explorers who will someday journey to other planets

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bold The outside world sees the bold idea, the discovery, the technology that appears to change what’s possible. — Kristofer Mussar, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 As for jewelry pieces, the actress, naturally, wore pieces by Bulgari, including a Serpenti bracelet and a statement Serpenti necklace with a bold gemstone. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 But when looking past the graphic dismemberment and the bolder, bloodier presentation, the game underneath the violence is simply mediocre. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 The sun shone bold and bright, and a lone cotton cloud drifted across the bluest of blue skies drawing my attention away from the mourners at the graveside. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bold

Adjective

The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Until that point, Birmingham had looked dangerous, conquering the space vacated by City’s adventurous full-backs (in fact, Oceane Hurtre robbed a dithering Jade Rose on the edge of stoppage time for a consolation goal).

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of adventurous

Adjective

Investing in infrastructure to boost revenue streams is wise, particularly at a club with no shareholders to act as benefactors.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Bulls overcame a sloppy night penalty-wise, being flagged 15 times for 140 yards, including two penalties that wiped out touchdowns.

— Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

If Taron Johnson and the secondary hold up against complex passing schemes, the unit should take a noticeable leap in efficiency.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Separate data from Indeed’s Job Postings Index also shows a seasonal ramp-up that is noticeable around Labor Day and the weeks that follow.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

For people feeling strapped by steep costs, the 60/30/10 budget can offer a more forgiving framework to follow.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026
Putin, for his part, did not publicly signal any movement from his previous steep demands, which seek major concessions from Ukraine.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of steep

Adjective

Fine publicly praised his wife following her testimony, describing her as strong and courageous in a statement read outside the courthouse by attorney Douglas Wigdor.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Why Jaissle and ‘vertical, attacking football’ If bringing in eight players under 24 was courageous, opting for a 38-year-old head coach who had never managed in Europe’s top-five leagues was extremely bold.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

After a few minutes, there was a dive off the arch, followed by a cannonball from the next person, a backflip from a third and then other more spectacular and daring stunts from the flock.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Any caveats about the weather didn’t appear to keep families away from the carnival, as parents and kids advanced from midway games and the carousel to more daring rides like the Ferris wheel and the Ring of Fire.

— Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of daring

Adjective

But with the newer franchises, the deepest wounds are still fresh, so unlike Kim Zolciak and Nene, opposing parties in those cities are having a harder time celebrating the sisterhood of it all.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Back then, Canales was a fresh-faced teenager who was seen as the future of Spanish football.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of fresh

Browse Nearby Words

boîtes

bold

bold-faced

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bold. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bold

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hobnob

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes