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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective reckless contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reckless are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, rash, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When can adventurous be used instead of reckless?

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

adventurous pioneers

When might daredevil be a better fit than reckless?

Although the words daredevil and reckless have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for reckless?

The synonyms daring and reckless are sometimes interchangeable, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

In what contexts can foolhardy take the place of reckless?

While the synonyms foolhardy and reckless are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would rash be a reasonable alternative to reckless?

The words rash and reckless can be used in similar contexts, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When could venturesome be used to replace reckless?

While in some cases nearly identical to reckless, 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 reckless The federal jury held that Tesla bore significant responsibility because its technology failed and that not all the blame can be put on a reckless driver, even one who admitted he was distracted by his cellphone before hitting a young couple out gazing at the stars. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025 Mendez-Chavez was most recently convicted in August 2020 of reckless endangerment in Texas and sentenced to a year in prison. Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025 The federal jury held that Tesla bore significant responsibility because its technology failed and that not all the blame can be put on a reckless driver, even one who admitted he was distracted by his cell phone before hitting a young couple out gazing at the stars. Bernard Condon, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025 Now his reckless tariffs are making Americans worse off, again. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • André’s landing at an airfield near Paris after a daring transatlantic flight has a documentary quality, combining the drama with a newsreel-like display of the making of the live radio broadcast about his heroic feat.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
  • The change from black-and-white to red all over highlighted the team’s understanding of what consumers were feeling at the time: the need to be more daring, more unexpected, and more carefree.
    Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Selby has lived a big, courageous life, and that largesse is evident on every page, in the form of the rigor and curiosity of the narrative voice.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Now more than ever, Uncle Sam will be looking for courageous insiders to step forward to ensure that the promise to treat disease doesn’t become an opportunity to fleece taxpayers instead.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether visitors are seeking ethical wildlife tours, daredevil adventures like swimming at the edge of Victoria Falls, or aiming to support conservation efforts, Africa offers a depth of experiences that go far beyond the traditional safari game drives.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Club Med Cancun has a new sports and wellness island with a dedicated palapa for quiet yoga classes, archery, bocce ball, mini golf, multi-sport courts and the iconic Club Med Circus School where guests can participate in their own trapeze lessons and other daredevil acrobatics.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Lucio — leggy, brave, sturdy in the challenge — is probably more appropriate as a reference point.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Today this material can seal pipes and brave the ocean.
    Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the present-day The Chi, Emmett has traveled quite a bit from the irresponsible boy who fathered multiple kids by different women and used his money to buy sneakers instead of caring for them.
    Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The cops are accused of irresponsible behavior, such as scrolling through TikTok, as Nathan Bradford Smith suffered a fatal overdose in the back of a police car in July 2024.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Expedition crews are often leading Zodiac cruises or landing for hiking excursions in places none of them have ever been before, giving an exceptionally adventurous feel to outings.
    Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • But more adventurous viewers will find this an occult drama unusually rich in distinctive aesthetic and offbeat tonal rewards.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 24-year-old man was charged with involuntary manslaughter, careless discharge causing death and a separate firearm charge, officials say.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The plea deal dropped an additional charge of careless driving resulting in death from his case, court records show.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But relying on natural gas to fill the gap over at least the next five years appears to be both a foolhardy and highly expensive gamble.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • But the move would be foolhardy for a largely untested navy.
    Kerry Brown, Time, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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