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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
Born Richard Totten Button on July 18, 1929, the daredevil athlete defied both gravity and expectations during his career. Holly Yan, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 Due to his high-flying, daredevil move set and unique presentation, Hardy became one of the most popular WWE Superstars of the 2000s. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Liam was also a bit of a daredevil. Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2025 The two-hour performance features artists, aerialists, acrobats, comedians and daredevils. San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • An arrest warrant was obtained for Lacy for negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Reinoso-Gallegos was arrested without incident and transported to Troop H where he was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle at too slow speed and second-degree reckless endangerment.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • General manager Chris MacFarland’s daring and dramatic midseason overhaul of his roster has remade, reinvented and reinvigorated the Avalanche.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Which is what the U.S. will be celebrating next year, marking our daring break from Great Britain and the founding of the nation.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Visit the historic downtown and museums about cowboys, the Osage Nation, and pioneer life.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The characters fall neatly into shopworn archetypes — strong silent cowboy, too-slick businessman, bad boy with a heart of gold, etc. — and are easy to root for in the sense that none of them are interesting enough to be worth rooting against.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Take the first step today and let your epic story unfold, one courageous step at a time.
    Neerja Bhatia, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Originally bred as herding dogs, German shepherds earned the reputation of being affectionate, courageous and incredibly loyal.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In a remarkable twist, Max disembarks the boat and visits his twin brother on land, who turns out to be a less adventurous version of Max.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The brand defines its culture by its people, of course, as adventurous, disciplined, and especially thrilled by the heyday of World Cup soccer stars like Diego Maradona.
    Simon Mainwaring, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fire crackling in Burt’s (Christopher Walken) dining room, framing his face like a devil.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Wooly devil grows near drought-tolerant plants, including ocotillo, hedgehog cactus and creosote.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The National Police Office will fully take care of the benefits and welfare of the families of the 5 brave policemen.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Holocaust survivor Marian Turski warned us all to be vigilant against indifference for good reason: turning inward at times of strife prevents us from being brave and leads to the exploitation of the vulnerable.
    Robert Williams, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the moves also undercut the president’s madman strategy.
    Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Suppose tomorrow that madman in North Korea decides to strike the United States?
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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