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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foolhardy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foolhardy are adventurous, daredevil, daring, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would adventurous be a reasonable alternative to foolhardy?

The meanings of adventurous and foolhardy largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When is daredevil a more appropriate choice than foolhardy?

The words daredevil and foolhardy can be used in similar contexts, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for foolhardy?

The words daring and foolhardy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When might rash be a better fit than foolhardy?

In some situations, the words rash and foolhardy are roughly equivalent. However, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When can reckless be used instead of foolhardy?

While in some cases nearly identical to foolhardy, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When is it sensible to use venturesome instead of foolhardy?

While the synonyms venturesome and foolhardy are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

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 foolhardy Postponing feels impossible and going ahead feels foolhardy. Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 At that point, $2,500 for a couple’s night out with theater, drinks and dinner might look pretty foolhardy. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025 But the assumption of massive demand has proven foolhardy. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 His flashiest assists were offset by foolhardy turnovers. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foolhardy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolhardy
Adjective
  • People often stereotype crypto investors as reckless, young, or greedy.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • Immigration reform was one of Trump’s most popular campaign platforms, but enough with his reckless and incoherent policy shifts.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Scattered on the shelves are adventure books from my childhood, with the daring adventurer Biggles from the eponymous British series embarrassingly well represented.
    Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
  • After the stoppage of play, what had been a daring weeklong pas de deux between this U.S. Open’s entrants and this wonderful old beast of a course devolved into a sopping-wet street fight of survival.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Very courageous of his elderly owner to part with him to ensure he was delivered into caring and loving hands.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • This month, a group of courageous plaintiffs took their fight for fairness to federal court, filing a civil rights lawsuit to hold California accountable.
    Tri Ta, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bloom’s bravest moment of June 16, 1904, comes a few pages later: —Mendelssohn was a jew and Karl Marx and Mercadante and Spinoza.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
  • Sure enough, the seemingly eternally brave Achilles was killed by an arrow to his heel during the Trojan War.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Not even the endless crowing about this daredevil feat in the marketing campaign leading up to the Cannes Film Festival premiere (and the movie’s release on May 23rd) can suck the exhilaration and sense of awe of watching this extended jaunt through the wild blue yonder.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
  • Then there was the subplot of a daredevil robot named Saymo who broke up with his girlfriend in front of a crowd on a studio lot, then tried to roll off a ramp and fly over a car.
    Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • But in case an adventurous dish doesn’t sit well with you, Fischer suggests keeping Pepto Bismol or another stomach aid at the ready to provide some relief.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
  • These two siblings have adventurous hearts, enjoy school and share one wish — to live together in a supportive home where the entire family spends time together.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foolhardy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolhardy. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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