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
Relevance
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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Glantz remained upright at his otherwise empty table, and his nonchalant noshing was caught on a CNN livestream of the room.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Feeling restless and reckless, Michael (LJ Benet) is drawn to a hard-rocking local band that is secretly a quartet of young vampires that is literally sucking the life out of the community.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The vast majority of drivers stop speeding after one or two camera violations, but a small and extremely reckless group of super speeders flagrantly endanger themselves and everyone around them.—
Mike Flynn,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The montage features Louis playing on the beach, swinging a bat, and jumping into the ocean—a snapshot of carefree moments typical of a normal childhood.—
Antonella Rossi,
Vanity Fair,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If the precise crimping and styling of a pie is just too much for your carefree culinary ways, consider a galette instead.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nick Jonas has a casual yet stylish vibe in a leather jacket, hoodie and baseball cap in New York City on April 23.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Wetjen was out at Stone Creek Golf Club near Iowa’s campus, playing a casual round with his girlfriend, Rachel Bierman, and friends when the moment hit.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Children can participate in fishing, particularly on the lake, and daredevil kiddos over eight can try their hand at driving cars at nearby Thruxton Circuit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Keanu Reeves is back as Canadian daredevil toy Duke Caboom.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
-
Anthropic noted that all three issues were resolved as of April 20, with the API unaffected throughout.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
After some increasingly waspish bickering between Aleida and Irina, the group manages to agree once more on the importance of the Space Elevator and Titan mission succeeding unaffected by the ongoing protests.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Supported by her friend Nikki, portrayed by Jenny Slate, the FX miniseries, based on a podcast of the same name, celebrates female friendship and sexuality while crafting a poignant and daring narrative about living fully in the face of death.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The first films are often freer, more daring and fearless, having an individual voice and to champion those is absolutely essential.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
