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 Ireland was awarded a penalty in the second half after Cyle Larin's reckless challenge of Ireland's Jamie McGrath. ABC News, 5 June 2026 Healey, a former two-term attorney general, is completely disregarding public safety by her reckless rhetoric and actions – all to win another election. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026 Some particularly outrageous one-liners about race snuck into the film’s final cut, although much of its dicier material comes off as weirdly effortful instead of provocative or reckless. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 June 2026 In February, about two years after the crash, Hannah pleaded guilty to a reckless-driving charge, an open-container charge, serious injury by vehicle, and first-degree vehicular homicide. Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • That’s because of your ambition for the most daring and revelatory stories.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
  • Sweeney opted for a daring LBD that featured a deep plunging V-neckline, a miniskirt, and voluminous sleeves.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Perkin described his wife as inventive and courageous in her art.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
  • Nearly four decades later, as cuts to HIV prevention and treatment programs threaten to unravel years of progress, Earle’s story remains a testament to the power of courageous action.
    Christina Ray Stanton, Time, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • At this time, Moore says, aviation was considered a daredevil sport, and successful pilots, especially in France, became celebrities.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 May 2026
  • Mira was an amiable baby, a daredevil toddler, and, once Dylan arrived, a menace.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Tonys are a place to put on a brave face, but will the anxiety creep in?
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 June 2026
  • In winter, the White Elephant provides free transfers in its house BMWs between Aspen, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands mountains (a garage next to the boot room means guests never brave the elements).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is every summer, right now, for the 200,000 people who live here — a public health emergency that is worsening with the global climate crisis and exacerbated even further by an onslaught of irresponsible development.
    Daniela Flores, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
  • However, the measure has met with fierce opposition from right-wing parties, which have described it as irresponsible and a way to further collapse a country with certain public services that are already stretched to the limit.
    Marta Campabadal Graus, NBC news, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Some stories are funny, some painful, some adventurous, some outrageous, and many are rooted in nature and place.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
  • The 43-year-old transformed Bournemouth into one of Europe’s most front-footed teams during his three seasons in charge, encouraging an adventurous off-the-ball approach that looked to smother the opposition high up the pitch.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • Rayshawn Cox, 32, was cited on suspicion of careless driving resulting in death and two counts of careless driving causing serious bodily injury, Wheat Ridge police spokesperson Alex Rose said.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
  • Notre Dame’s dominance has been highlighted by relentless fundamentals and limited errors, the perfect antidote to Syracuse’s free-flowing and occasionally careless approach.
    Tribune News Service, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • If the claims that AI is replacing human computer scientists are true, choosing such a major would seem quite foolhardy.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • Such foolhardy male striving, the movie suggests, is all too often destructive.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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