madcap 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
Definition of madcapnext
as in reckless
foolishly adventurous or bold a madcap scheme to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

madcap

2 of 2

noun

ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
as in devil
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear an incorrigible madcap who loves drag racing and white-water rafting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 madcap
Adjective
The crumbling institution makes an appropriately strange backdrop for a romp that mixes madcap antics, tangled romantic relationships, and the frank, sometimes enthusiastically gross sexuality that is one of Waller-Bridge’s signatures. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 With its hairpin turns and madcap improvisations, the odyssey at the book’s center can seem, says our reviewer, like something sketched out by Jules Verne. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
The fare isn’t noteworthy or unique, except for the onion soup with its madcap, enormous puff pastry lid. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for madcap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for madcap
  1. reckless
  2. devil
  3. daredevil
  4. cowboy
  5. courageous
  6. madman
  7. adventurous
  8. brave
Adjective
  • The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • None were remotely reckless, and none prevented a promising attack, which are the usual triggers for cautions.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of reckless
Noun
  • In January, Watts was a guest on actor Rainn Wilson’s podcast, where Watts played devil’s advocate to Wilson’s skeptic about casual use of mind-altering substances.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers have also documented the phenomenon in dogs, Tasmanian devils, and some kinds of clams and other shellfish.
    — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of devil
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
Noun
  • For a Western vibe Get a bit of cowboy cool with picks from Wrangler, Tecovas and more while shopping for Labor Day deals.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Live actors would appear throughout, sometimes as gangsters in a noir crime movie, and sometimes as Wild West cowboys.
    — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cowboy
Adjective
  • Fine publicly praised his wife following her testimony, describing her as strong and courageous in a statement read outside the courthouse by attorney Douglas Wigdor.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Why Jaissle and ‘vertical, attacking football’ If bringing in eight players under 24 was courageous, opting for a 38-year-old head coach who had never managed in Europe’s top-five leagues was extremely bold.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of courageous
Noun
  • Either Republicans will retain control of Congress, or enough Democrats (one hopes) will prevail so Congress can reclaim its authority over a madman executive.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many writers travelled to Jonestown to survey the shambles and determine whether this was a utopian experiment gone astray or a madman’s fever dream destined to fail.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
Definition of madman
Adjective
  • The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Until that point, Birmingham had looked dangerous, conquering the space vacated by City’s adventurous full-backs (in fact, Oceane Hurtre robbed a dithering Jade Rose on the edge of stoppage time for a consolation goal).
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi had three brothers, all New York City firefighters, who — like so many of their brave counterparts — rushed to the World Trade Center in an attempt to save lives after the towers were struck.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Combined with a brutal noon start time that provided no shade or relief throughout the game, the conditions meant there weren’t many fans brave enough, or quite frankly dumb enough, to endure a heat index of roughly 105 degrees.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of brave

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madams
madcap
madcaps
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Cite this Entry

“Madcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madcap. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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