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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 Stokes is set for the role of Ronnie Whitlock, who leads with an outlaw smile and a devil-may-care attitude, a fire burning within him. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2026 And then there's a top-of-his-game Chevy Chase as a devil-may-care golfer and Bill Murray as a raffish groundskeeper. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 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 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
  • Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Then Gurov takes that famous bite of watermelon, a metaphor for what has just happened and his nonchalant reaction to it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Before deciding someone is reckless or overly cautious, look at what each of you is actually trying to protect.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • He was charged with reckless endangerment, a low level felony, and later released.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • The song celebrates the beauty of one’s native land and the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Their bouncy attitudes inevitably mold the vast open country in their own carefree image.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • Venus in your communication zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your career sector, making a message, comment, post, or casual idea more visible than intended.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • These Pact leggings are designed for everyday wear and look great with oversized sweaters and knee-high boots, blousy tops and ballet flats, or sneakers and an oversized flannel shirt for a more casual ensemble.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • In the late nineties and two-thousands, Hsu and his daredevil friends had proudly put their sleepy Silicon Valley city on the map as an unlikely skateboarding capital.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Yet with the relentless Ukrainian drone strikes – including the biggest wave ever launched against the Moscow region as voting took place this weekend – the Kremlin has been at pains to reassure Russians that life goes on largely unaffected.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Areas once largely unaffected are increasingly reporting infections, reflecting a gradual expansion of the virus across the country.
    — Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Its budget has been reported as anywhere between €14 million ($16 million) and €18 million ($20 million), which can only be achieved in Europe via a daring and bullish backing by a major player.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • From classic works to recent and more structurally daring standouts, historical fiction remains one of writing’s most popular forms.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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