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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 Now is the time for our state leaders to step up and fill the funding void left by this reckless decision. Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 11 May 2025 Americans deserve better than to have their information serially mishandled by reckless bureaucrats. Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025 Military families, whose stability should be a national priority, are left instead navigating economic turbulence born out of reckless policymaking. Michael B Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025 Ironically, too, for the first offseason in well over a decade, the organization’s actual self-interest and penchant for reckless, all-in swings in pursuit of immediate gratification are actually aligned. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • Blending skill, grace and the daring pursuit of the ultimate underwater thrill, five divers—all trained by a world-class underwater choreographer—will compete to show off their skills during epic underwater dances.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
  • The decision comes after years of increasingly daring celebrity outfits and adds to the ongoing discussion among fashion enthusiasts on social media — Is fashion becoming more conservative?
    Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The segment famously saw Piper remove Gowen's prosthetic leg, instantly establishing his courageous character.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The event series is based on The Old Testament’s Book of Genesis and told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate, yet flawed women whose descendants would shape three of the world’s great faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football.
    Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That would be daredevil buddies Max and Benj Cave (brothers whose middle names are both Storror), Callum and Sacha Powell (also brothers), Drew Taylor, Toby Segar and Josh Burnett-Blake, who started out simply horsing around, filming pranks and sharing them online.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite those scares, Ramon was brave enough to push out and defend in the opposition half.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Many leaders want breakthrough thinking yet fail to set the conditions for people to feel brave enough to contribute.
    Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • He’s made irresponsible insinuations about unscrupulous referees.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
  • Among them are regenerative tours and hotels, visits to conservation-minded zoos, and replanting entire islands devastated by irresponsible farming.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The park is now a stop for the more adventurous sightseers, or researchers cataloging the species that call the island home.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
  • Sometimes gratitude came easily, such as when Deb helped their kids, who were picky eaters, become more adventurous.
    Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Although Hill initially received two tickets for careless driving and not wearing a seat belt, they were dismissed after the officer who cited him didn’t show up to the Miami-Dade traffic hearing.
    C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • Of those fires, 90% were caused by careless human activity, the agency said.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • And the idea of jumping straight into the hyper-intensity of a Game 7 after 3 1/2 months off was foolhardy.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Yet Minahan’s gambling and equine metaphors blame the past, not foolhardy personal desire.
    Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reckless

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