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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
Since then, Bilal has pursued other daredevil experiments that push political satire to grim extremes. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 Colerain Township native and daredevil photographer Isaac Wright was arrested May 15 at the end of his first solo gallery exhibition in New York City, his lawyer said. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
Each story is filigreed with the meta-commentary flashing onscreen and a daredevil’s enjoyment of audience interaction. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 July 2025 The daredevil had done many things riskier, of course, including a BASE jump off of the Christ The Redeemer Statue in Brazil. Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • Wallen was originally booked on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The country star was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After a daring double steal, New York had the bases loaded with one out and Brandon Nimmo at the plate against Ferrer.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The result is the year’s most daring TV performance, rooted in a painful, just barely recognizable humanity.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Put a cowboy twist on classic comfort food.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
  • His father performed cowboy songs in both English and Spanish to guests enjoying a hayride or picnic in the desert.
    Douglas C. Towne, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This month encourages courageous choices and trusting your own judgment to create freedom.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The godmother of the event’s 2025 edition, supermodel Naomi Campbell, was not in attendance but shared a video message encouraging the awards’ nominees to be fearless and courageous.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Arteta ended this block of matches before the international break by being adventurous against both Newcastle and West Ham, despite slightly different personnel making up that midfield unit.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Similarly, the most adventurous of women have been noted heading to the salon requesting similar, looser perms for a wavy beach look (or a faux natural curly look).
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But this is no case study in the evils of devil-worshipping musicians.
    Judy Berman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Whether or not Alice lived happily ever after, Gertrude seems to have done so, at least once her devils were banished by inscrutability.
    Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, try to be bold, be brave, and be loud.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During one of the harrowing trips, 11-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) learns from his father, Jamie (Taylor-Johnson), of the location of a strange doctor named Kelson (Fiennes), but warns his son to stay away from the madman.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In this 1980-set thriller, Brolin is all brawny and hunky (his shirt knows few buttons) as a desperate dad and former New York cop on a relentless pursuit of a madman (Cliff Forman) who has mistakenly kidnapped his daughter.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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