daredevil 1 of 2

Definition of daredevilnext
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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
Ogden traced his daredevil ways, in part, back to Newell. Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026 With the element of fire as an intensifier, the Fire Horse is the daredevil and thrill-seeker of the lunar cycle. Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
McBride — adventurer, daredevil — appears unflappable. Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 And within that special group of music-loving daredevils, each has their own reason for applying a soundtrack to their death-defying jumps. ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • America’s reckless military adventure continues.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
  • Tottenham began to tire and Tel was ultimately punished for his reckless boot in his own box.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • What started as a competition turned into a block party as the skaters shared the space, showing their most daring moves without the pressure of competing.
    Tony Le Calvez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • For her appearance at fashion’s biggest night, the French influencer paired the metallic top with a similarly daring skirt — the French label’s caryatid draped jersey skirt, per Lomellini — in a shade of powdery blue, and wore a pair of strappy white heels.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The Administration’s cowboy capture of the Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro, on January 3rd, prompted an airspace closure in the Caribbean, stranding many populations, none as humbled as the American tourists, gone to the islands for rest and relaxation over the winter holiday.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • Simmered in a smoky, buttery, extra-creamy sauce, this hearty chicken pasta supper is cowboy-approved.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Many parents are afraid to go on the record against a school or coach for fear of retribution against their son or daughter, so for a teenager to go out on the limb and put himself up to possible ridicule was both stunning and courageous.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • However, thanks to the efforts of courageous youth advocates, there is hope in safeguarding youth health.
    Jad Abdel Nour, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Following its founding in 1963, the gallery embarked on an adventurous run that included exhibitions for artists such as Warhol, Tinguley, Gerhard Richter, Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd, Anthony Caro, and Bruce Nauman during its first decade.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 May 2026
  • The menu puts the focus on perfectly charred steaks and chops (the 32-ounce ribeye is ideal for two) while a few surprises like short rib ramen, pierogi stuffed with farmers cheese, and cauliflower steak satisfy more adventurous eaters.
    Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • This is the aforementioned devil’s chair.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • And, yes, there is a literal devil in this one, which won’t be a surprise to anyone familiar with LaValle’s novel.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Craven was remembered during the ceremony as brave and courageous, and as someone whose personality had a positive impact on her colleagues as well as her community.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • Bojorquez said Jones was a brave officer who had made a tragic mistake while rushing to the aid of victims.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are mismatched detectives on the hunt for a madman enacting crimes in the style of the seven deadly sins.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • Congress must take a stand against a madman who publicly threatened to kill 93 million people.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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