devil-may-care

adjective

ˌde-vᵊl-(ˌ)mā-ˈker How to pronounce devil-may-care (audio)
Definition of devil-may-carenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 devil-may-care The show has always affected a devil-may-care attitude, but in previous seasons, less-wearying — not to say light or uplifting — moments came up as a result of the chemistry between the young ensemble. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026 The cast approaches the picture with a delightfully devil-may-care sincerity, playing off of one another with a simple ease. — Gina Friedlande, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 As for angels with a devil-may-care attitude, this new Gucci is also represented by it girl Sydney Lynn Carlson and rapper Fakemink (who both walked in the show too) as well as photographer Nadia Lee Cohen and director Aidan Zamiri, the director of Charli XCX’s The Moment. — Sofia Viganò, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for devil-may-care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
  1. nonchalant
  2. reckless
  3. carefree
  4. casual
  5. daredevil
  6. insouciant
  7. unaffected
  8. daring
Adjective
  • After William and Kate were so nonchalant, staff turned to historical clippings about how to proceed, according to Myers.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • The nonchalant stadium style Victoria Beckham embraced while rooting for England’s national team was at times an attraction in itself.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 19 July 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • He was charged with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, the NYPD said, according to NBC News.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The unlicensed doctor who runs the clinic, Luis Rojas Cabrera, was arrested for practicing without a license and reckless endangerment.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Ahn Bo-hyun returns as Jin Yi-soo, the carefree chaebol heir turned Violent Crimes detective—rejoining the unit after completing his formal police academy training.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Prime Video’s The Devil's Mouth begins with a carefree vacation between a group of lifelong friends in Thailand.
    — Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 29 July 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • Jewel enjoys a casual summer day while shopping at the What Goes Around Comes Around pop-up in Aspen.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • July 23 – August 22 A casual conversation could give your bigger vision a real structure.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • News earlier in the month, Johnson and East chatted about life at home with their three little ones, and shared which kid is taking on a daredevil personality.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • In addition to decades of performing his own impossible feats for the sake and sanctity of cinema, Cruise has lately taken to showing off his daredevil talents at sporting events worldwide.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adjective
  • Midi lengths refuse to commit to long or short camps, settling in the middle for a moment that's polished and truly insouciant.
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • There is nothing insouciant about me.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of insouciant
Adjective
  • But millions of pounds unrefrigerated food, mostly meat and seafood, remain in the western freezer, which was unaffected by the blaze.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Owners who generated their seed with at least 50 private dice rolls, or who used a strong passphrase, were unaffected.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • There was plenty of action on Swiss National Day in Lausanne, with unfortunate crashes and a daring breakaway, but the top teams’ desire for that first leader’s jersey was always going to win out.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • These tumultuous incidents are bound by a daring half-hour-long scene of the driver’s erotic overnight reunion with his hard-living girlfriend, who wants to adopt the child.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of daring

Browse Nearby Words

devilishness
devil-may-care
devilment
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Cite this Entry

“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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