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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 Sullivan last week pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful restraint. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025 In 2024, Wallen also pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment for throwing a chair off the roof of a bar. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, Democrats slammed the Signal chat as a reckless violation of secrecy that could have put service members in harm’s way. Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 Marcantonio faces four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and a single count each of reckless driving, failure to maintain the proper lane and first-degree manslaughter. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Wooster Group at 50: Elizabeth LeCompte and Kate Valk reflect on decades of making daring theater together.
    Alan Light, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The doc observes students shaping and driving courageous forms of conversation among themselves and with their institutions.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
  • John Lewis John Lewis, born in 1940 in Troy, Alabama, was a son of sharecroppers who became one of the most courageous and enduring voices of the Civil Rights Movement.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 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
  • Whether Flick would be brave and take a punt on the veteran by throwing him straight into the back line was another matter entirely, though.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In the podcast, one of the things that struck both of us so much was this amazing, brave, vulnerable choice that the real Molly made to allow Nikki into that room to record her.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Carrie already knew that her father was self-absorbed and irresponsible.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
  • These were disgusting, irresponsible comments by someone who is charged with overseeing public health for hundreds of millions of people.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nick, the son of shipping tycoon Massimo Marone (Joseph Mascolo), often was depicted as an adventurous and ambitious man who worked as a sea captain.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There’s so much talent in New York, and diners are more curious, more adventurous, and more informed than ever.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Following the accident, the driver, a 61-year-old woman, was cited with careless driving and cooperated with investigators at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • She was cited with careless driving, the sheriff’s office said.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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