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
When Gary Vernon began riding mountain bikes in Arkansas almost 40 years ago, there was very little infrastructure intended for riders without deep experience—or a devil-may-care attitude.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Cherry plays Gary, a hapless, low-key type of guy who goes on a blind date, to avenge infidelity in his jaded long-term relationship, with the much younger, devil-may-care Ell, played by Borat breakout Maria Bakalova.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 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
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
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Cherry plays Gary, a hapless, low-key type of guy who goes on a blind date, to avenge infidelity in his jaded long-term relationship, with the much younger, devil-may-care Ell, played by Borat breakout Maria Bakalova.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
Slattery has a knack for giving big performances that also feel nonchalant, almost like he’s been there in that backyard the whole time yelling about lettuce, and a TV production just happened to set up shop around him.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
In the world of street style, models offer a particular brand of nonchalant cool that the industry has long been obsessed with.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
He was convicted on June 5 of first-degree murder, manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, theft of a motor vehicle and other counts, according to a statement from the Delaware Department of Justice.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
But an adventure conjoined with a lover, whether breaking studio rules with Tony Curtis or tracking down John Dillinger in the person of Lawrence Tierney, never failed to activate a reckless tingle in me.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
And yet Guardiola’s time at the club cannot be measured simply in numbers and statistics and should not be seen as a carefree march to silverware.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
Summer jewelry calls for playful shell motifs, decking out your ankles, and embracing the season's most carefree trends.—
Frances Solá-Santiago,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Fairmont draws a diverse crowd—from business travelers to couples celebrating anniversaries, to casual visitors—creating a lively but laid-back atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
Amenities include Sunset Beach with complimentary chairs and umbrellas for guests and the new Captiva Landing water playground with waterslides, a lazy river, arcade, and casual restaurant.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
At this time, Moore says, aviation was considered a daredevil sport, and successful pilots, especially in France, became celebrities.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 May 2026
-
Mira was an amiable baby, a daredevil toddler, and, once Dylan arrived, a menace.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 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
-
Primaries for the state's three other House seats unaffected by redrawing were held last week.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
Earlier this month, Reform UK, a right-wing populist group promoting stricter border controls, shattered any illusion that Liverpool, which since the 1980s has been associated with the left, is unaffected by political tides.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s because of your ambition for the most daring and revelatory stories.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Sweeney opted for a daring LBD that featured a deep plunging V-neckline, a miniskirt, and voluminous sleeves.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
