Definition of recklessnext
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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 And Iran’s broadening of the war with reckless attacks is likely to turn out to be a major strategic misjudgment on Tehran’s part. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026 With not a lot of airtime to transition her protagonist from reasonable to out of touch with reality, Jonas relegated much of her character’s contemplative qualities to the asides and exaggerated her more base characteristics by adding in some reckless behavior. Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2026 Polymarket’s reckless approach to handling information is made even more egregious by new brand partnerships with legitimate corporate newsgroups. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 5 Mar. 2026 Together, the four co-defendants have pushed for months to be granted what is known as a Franks hearing, in which a judge would determine whether FBI Special Agent Duncan Haunold made false statements or reckless omissions in the affidavit used to obtain the search warrants. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • In a few daring sentences, Lincoln connected the antislavery movement, calling for a right to self-government in individual lives, with the right to self-government in politics.
    Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Both pieces featured a daring lace-up design and a white-on-white floral jacquard print.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Whispers in May embodies the courageous vision of a woman director in China, where making independent documentary films is a precarious endeavor.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
  • The story also centers on Jitka, Morava’s courageous fiancée, who goes undercover as bait, and Marleen, a seductive actress who has a secret alliance with Buback.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Keanu Reeves is back as Canadian daredevil toy Duke Caboom.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The tower is massive — roughly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower — and Shiloh Hunter (Virginia Gardner) is an influencer known for sharing daredevil climbing clips.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But some brave souls, instead of looking away, step into the fray.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • On Facebook, the Walker County Sheriff’s Office touted the arrest as a brave win.
    USA Today, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The internet quickly erupted with outrage and criticism, as social influencers and experts alike argued that the guidance is irresponsible.
    Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
  • But prosecutors felt differently, claiming that Plamberger made a series of irresponsible calls, and that he should be held accountable as the experienced climber of the party.
    Mary Beth Skylis, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Where filmmakers from Germany and around the world present their work freely to our endlessly adventurous audiences.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Gabon This is a beach for the adventurous.
    Melanie van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This careless exploitation of the heavens above is a real danger to us all.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Scott County Attorney said the man behind the wheel received a $100 citation for careless driving.
    Ashley Grams, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Obsessing over Cabrera’s fastball is foolhardy.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Though he not-so-subtly scapegoated players, Quinton Byfield the foremost among them, Hiller’s own foolhardy challenge was the initial turning point toward a collapse that saw the Kings downgrade a 2-0 series lead into a 4-2 series loss.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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