1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner
a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
the devil-may-care speed with which he drives his sports car is going to cause a lot of grief someday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in carefree
having or showing freedom from worries or troubles
the devil-may-care attitude that some people have about needlessly contributing to global warming
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devil-may-care
The cut offers an easy, devil-may-care vibe that looks great styled down (with a cami and black sneakers) and up (with a tuxedo shirt and heeled loafers).
—
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
Come 1995, Brosnan finally took the role for GoldenEye, bringing back the debonair, devil-may-care version of Bond — part superhero, part super agent.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Call them the goth girls of the Golden Globes, oozing devil-may-care detachment and spicing up the glittering red carpet procession with a little bit of mystery.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The square-jawed Iago Breschi, one of the most technically proficient classical dancers in San Diego, was in his element as the torero Escamillo, strutting with a devil-may-care swagger.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
That devil-may-care attitude on The Things Youi Kill extended to his film set in Turkey.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Deadline can reveal a first clip of of the film in which Gloria is first introduced to Saxberger, who is immediately hooked but will come to learn that her flamboyant appearance and devil-may-care front hides a darker side and reality.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
Come 1995, Brosnan finally took the role for GoldenEye, bringing back the debonair, devil-may-care version of Bond — part superhero, part super agent.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Call them the goth girls of the Golden Globes, oozing devil-may-care detachment and spicing up the glittering red carpet procession with a little bit of mystery.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The square-jawed Iago Breschi, one of the most technically proficient classical dancers in San Diego, was in his element as the torero Escamillo, strutting with a devil-may-care swagger.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
That devil-may-care attitude on The Things Youi Kill extended to his film set in Turkey.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Deadline can reveal a first clip of of the film in which Gloria is first introduced to Saxberger, who is immediately hooked but will come to learn that her flamboyant appearance and devil-may-care front hides a darker side and reality.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
Others noticed how well Perry and Harris, who play the nonchalant grandfather and seemingly sheltered grandson, bonded on-screen, noting that their chemistry is evident and makes the movie funnier.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As part of his new collection for the brand, Arnold unveiled a new shape—a slightly sloping, almost smile-like pleat that’s simultaneously nonchalant and fully sophisticated.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The father faces 29 charges including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The charges Colin Gray is facing 29 charges related to the shooting, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, five counts of reckless conduct and 20 counts of child cruelty.—
Jozsef Papp,
AJC.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The boucle fabric adds texture to make the sweater look and feel extra cozy, while the off-the-shoulder finish channels carefree, casual style.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
For a more youthful, carefree hairstyle, follow Kate Hudson's lead and go for a looser 'do with face-framing tendrils.—
Audrey Noble,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But as serious news outlets have increasingly concentrated on the high end, a downmarket digital ecosystem for financial information has emerged for casual investors and day traders.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
After 40 years beachside (and gaining a casual, semi-riotous rep for all the day-drinking amid the sand and surf), the Independent Spirit Awards has shacked up at the Hollywood Palladium.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With the element of fire as an intensifier, the Fire Horse is the daredevil and thrill-seeker of the lunar cycle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The daredevil athlete scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Jan. 25 with no ropes or protective equipment.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brigitte Bardot, the French actor, style icon, and animal activist who fixated the world with her insouciant, smoky-eyed sensuality, has died aged 91.—
Isobel Thompson,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2025
-
His magical renovation of Villa Mabrouka—the late Yves Saint Laurent's Tangier bolt-hole, with a Slim Aarons–worthy kidney-bean pool just outside the casbah—is as immaculately dressed down as an insouciant white linen shirt.—
Stephanie Rafanelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Aug. 2023
Adjective
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In an email to employees, Chairman of the Board Michael Wichterich said Expand Energy's move to Houston will be completed by mid-2026 but promised the Oklahoma City workforce will be unaffected by the relocation.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Lids are generally more durable and can be reused multiple times, while parchment paper can only be reused a few times if its quality remains unaffected.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His daring, sometimes reckless style had caught up to him.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Five minutes can be an eternity in montage time, but the movie’s lengthy introduction is a daring announcement of historical scope.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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