bold

adjective

ˈbōld How to pronounce bold (audio)
Definition of boldnext
1
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
2
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
3
as in noticeable
likely to attract attention an interior decorator who likes to use bold colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
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
6
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 All the judges were impressed with her sauce work and bold flavors. — Sari Kamin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Nov. 2026 Her bold comments about age follow recent reports of Charles’ ongoing cancer battle. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 12 Nov. 2026 But discoveries in prebiotic chemistry have challenged the single-molecule approach and opened an opportunity to bring bold ideas to humanity’s oldest question. — Quanta Magazine, 12 Nov. 2026 When attending our Yale CEO forums, he has been revered by CEOs across sectors and around the world for his bold, entrepreneurial vision and his revolutionary technological triumphs. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bold
  1. adventurous
  2. wise
  3. noticeable
  4. familiar
  5. steep
  6. courageous
  7. daring
  8. fresh
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
  • Obviously the quarterback situation is a little bit unsettled, but very similar scheme wise offensively and defensively.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Fortunately, the wise voters of Deerfield Beach know that once power is turned over to a few people, special interests prevail.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • In most Alzheimer’s patients, a noticeable atrophy develops over the course of only a few months of disease progression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Still, the difference is less noticeable on a smaller screen.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of noticeable
Adjective
  • The Sagittarius Moon draws attention to your private world, while Mercury retrograde in Scorpio encourages another look at familiar accounts.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • These businesses offer artists access to audiences who may not regularly visit museums or galleries, allowing artwork to become part of familiar neighborhood environments.
    — J.M. Banks November 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Chipmaking hubs Taiwan and South Korea saw steep declines, the former suffering record losses and the latter halting trading after an 8% wipeout.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Public’s LuEsther Theater isn’t helping, with its steep raked seating so clearly set off from the deep rectangle of the stage.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of steep
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
  • His third quarter interception by safety Chuck Clark on a pass intended for wide receiver Caleb Douglas was a daring attempt.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • On the runways, the interpretations have been considerably more daring.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Another good bet for fresh turkey is Mary’s Land Farm, at 4797 Sheppard Lane.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Slate and Ford both believe the time is right for a no-frills compact electric pickup, but even these trucks rely on fresh engineering and are aimed at retail as well as fleet buyers.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of fresh

Browse Nearby Words

boîtes
bold
bold-faced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bold. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All