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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 One was charged with reckless endangerment, while 52 were released with summonses. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 Mitchell was arrested on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving the wrong way on a limited access highway and second-degree reckless endangerment. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025 Nathan Hochman on Wednesday announced charges that included assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, conspiracy to commit vandalism, vandalism, commercial burglary and misdemeanor reckless driving against five individuals related to the protests. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 Keep an open mind, as an erratic square between Mars and Uranus on June 15 could shake things up in unpredictable ways and result in some reckless behavior. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • Scattered on the shelves are adventure books from my childhood, with the daring adventurer Biggles from the eponymous British series embarrassingly well represented.
    Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
  • After the stoppage of play, what had been a daring weeklong pas de deux between this U.S. Open’s entrants and this wonderful old beast of a course devolved into a sopping-wet street fight of survival.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • Occasionally we are confronted with stories, like the founding of Knox College [established in 1837 by abolitionists committed to educating women and people of color] , where some person or some group of people chose the unpopular, but morally courageous path.
    Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Not even the endless crowing about this daredevil feat in the marketing campaign leading up to the Cannes Film Festival premiere (and the movie’s release on May 23rd) can suck the exhilaration and sense of awe of watching this extended jaunt through the wild blue yonder.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
  • Then there was the subplot of a daredevil robot named Saymo who broke up with his girlfriend in front of a crowd on a studio lot, then tried to roll off a ramp and fly over a car.
    Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Sure enough, the seemingly eternally brave Achilles was killed by an arrow to his heel during the Trojan War.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
  • Bloom’s bravest moment of June 16, 1904, comes a few pages later: —Mendelssohn was a jew and Karl Marx and Mercadante and Spinoza.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • And no doubt, many local governments and certainly the state government are running things in an obviously irresponsible manner.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 15 June 2025
  • But sadly, what’s easiest to remember are those irresponsible kayakers, manatee tour boats and recreational swimmers who harass Florida’s iconic marine mammals.
    Ragan Whitlock, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • But in case an adventurous dish doesn’t sit well with you, Fischer suggests keeping Pepto Bismol or another stomach aid at the ready to provide some relief.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
  • These two siblings have adventurous hearts, enjoy school and share one wish — to live together in a supportive home where the entire family spends time together.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • The driver was cited for careless driving causing bodily injury, which is a misdemeanor traffic offense, according to state law.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
  • Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, the alleged operator of the boat that struck the teen, has been charged with two misdemeanors for careless operation of a vessel, according to the FWC.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Expecting McCarthy to perform at a similar level would be foolhardy.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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