daring 1 of 4

daring

2 of 4

noun (1)

daringness

3 of 4

noun (2)

daring

4 of 4

verb

present participle of dare

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daring contrast with its synonyms?

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

daring mountain climbers

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of daring?

The meanings of adventurous and daring largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

In what contexts can daredevil take the place of daring?

Although the words daredevil and daring have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When can foolhardy be used instead of daring?

In some situations, the words foolhardy and daring are roughly equivalent. However, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When is rash a more appropriate choice than daring?

The synonyms rash and daring are sometimes interchangeable, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When would reckless be a good substitute for daring?

The words reckless and daring are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace daring?

While the synonyms venturesome and daring 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 daring
Adjective
Thousands of Vietnam War veterans and Vietnamese-Americans flooded the USS Midway’s flight deck Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of the war’s end — and the daring rescues that came with it. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025 Every first Saturday of the month, those in the know gather at the historic Spotlight nightclub for Simon Says, the city’s most daring, avant-garde LGBTQ+ party. Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Challengers prevailed, in a sense, by having both the polish of the former and the daring of the latter. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 The mixture of tradition and daring also characterizes the spirit of the New York City Ballet. Ian Malone, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2024
Verb
But the polesitter was in no mood to finish third, immediately regaining the lead with a daring overtake to set the tone for the sprint. Reuters, 29 Mar. 2025 If anything, becoming a weird little guy, by my definition, is about rejecting the despair that leads down those kinds of regressive paths, and daring to care about something, even — and perhaps especially — if that something might seem kind of dumb or trivial to the outside world. James Factora, Them., 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daring
Adjective
  • The park is now a stop for the more adventurous sightseers, or researchers cataloging the species that call the island home.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
  • Sometimes gratitude came easily, such as when Deb helped their kids, who were picky eaters, become more adventurous.
    Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which went on an historic two-and-a-half week strike in March after negotiations for a new contract broke down, had filed a petition with the Sixth District Court of Appeal on April 1, challenging the ruling of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Today big tech is aggressively challenging long-standing legal protections in copyright law, in intellectual property, fair data practices and data privacy protections.
    Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The world’s multilateral architecture is the best mechanism humanity has for confronting existential transnational threats.
    Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Any return to play in England would entail Henderson confronting the subject again.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While some men gravitate toward bold logos or avant-garde streetwear, Powers advises balance.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • This is maximalism to a T: a big stripe, a ruffle detail, a bold contrast.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Blatter, 89, and Platini, 69, had been facing a charge of corruption at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court before being cleared, according to a statement to The Athletic from their lawyer, having previously been cleared of fraud more than two years ago.
    Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Her team, down seven and facing its largest deficit of the night, went from smiling and finding easy buckets to straight-faced and struggling to find a rhythm.
    Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Many leaders want breakthrough thinking yet fail to set the conditions for people to feel brave enough to contribute.
    Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Despite those scares, Ramon was brave enough to push out and defend in the opposition half.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Inspired by the fearless warrior women of Norse mythology, the Golden State Valkyries represent strength, confidence, and forward momentum.
    Jenn Nelson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Star Wars fans can be a finicky bunch, but Tony Gilroy has been fearless, much like the series creator George Lucas, in delivering to them.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • In her courageous testimony, Ventura described the myriad means by which Combs achieved and maintained power and control over her during their decade-long relationship.
    Elizabeth Geddes, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025
  • While there are many other ways to foster courageous leadership, these three are evergreen.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Daring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daring. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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