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daredevil

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noun

as in cowboy
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daredevil contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of daredevil are adventurous, daring, foolhardy, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would adventurous be a good substitute for daredevil?

The synonyms adventurous and daredevil are sometimes interchangeable, but adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When could daring be used to replace daredevil?

In some situations, the words daring and daredevil are roughly equivalent. However, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When is foolhardy a more appropriate choice than daredevil?

The meanings of foolhardy and daredevil largely overlap; however, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would rash be a reasonable alternative to daredevil?

Although the words rash and daredevil have much in common, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When might reckless be a better fit than daredevil?

The words reckless and daredevil can be used in similar contexts, but reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

In what contexts can venturesome take the place of daredevil?

While the synonyms venturesome and daredevil are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

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 daredevil
Adjective
So when filming for the second half of Season Four moved to the western coast of Morocco, Rudy Pankow, who plays the daredevil JJ, seized the opportunity for a quick jaunt to the Sahara desert. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2024 The on-screen swashbuckler has kept his daredevil spirit, too, releasing the three-part series Orlando Bloom: To the Edge earlier this year. Brendan Le, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Noun
Some 900 attendees stare, rapt, as the daredevils loop and arc on their bikes, the wheels illuminated. Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 The officers then apprehend the daredevils at a subway station and take them into custody. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for daredevil 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • Reddit users were just as quick to praise the pedestrian's actions, seeing the moment as a justified comeback rather than reckless behavior.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The successful audit comes as the government’s finances face significant scrutiny from the new Trump administration after years of reckless spending and fiscal irresponsibility.
    Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Told with elements inspired by Beauty and the Beast, Maura's newest book — featuring a magical princess and the Shadow Emperor — is a daring entry into the hottest new subgenre of romance.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Amid the criticism, there were a couple of voices of support among MAGA Republicans for the president’s daring proposal.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Its 45 larger-than-life figures—cowboys on horseback, women riding sidesaddle, and lots of covered wagons— make up one of the world’s largest bronze sculpture installations.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
  • That was my experience at Rebuilding, in which Josh O’Connor plays a cowboy who’s just lost the family farm in a massive wildfire, and who’s struggling to put his life back together.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Gunderson’s Hertha is fierce, witty and courageous and her Marie is cowering, heartbroken and despondent.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
  • History is filled with good and evil, but in the end, good conquers evil when courageous men and women don’t give up, as when Hitler and his Nazis were vanquished.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The flavors lean more toward the classics, rather than any adventurous combinations, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Duke was fun-loving and adventurous, always looking for new experiences.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While the eastern grey kangaroos used in this trial are not endangered, many of Australia’s marsupial species are, including koalas and Tasmanian devils.
    Eric Cheung, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The search for wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils in Cradle Mountain National Park is a classic part of the Tasmanian experience.
    Everett Potter, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, in addition to elevating your look, these Lululemon leg warmers are designed to keep shivering at bay when you brave winter temps just wearing tights.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025
  • President Trump's Executive Order protects the sovereignty of both countries and its brave soldiers.
    Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Miller, of course, is aware that Trump’s intention, always, is to shock, to play the madman, and thus frighten his rivals and alter the terms of the debate.
    David Remnick, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Notorious madman Charles Manson, who died in prison in 2017 at age 83, and a group of his followers terrorized the Los Angeles area in 1969 by committing at least seven gruesome murders, including actress Sharon Tate.
    William Earl, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near daredevil

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

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