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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venturesome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of venturesome are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, rash, and reckless. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of venturesome?

The meanings of adventurous and venturesome largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When can daredevil be used instead of venturesome?

The synonyms daredevil and venturesome are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When is daring a more appropriate choice than venturesome?

While the synonyms daring and venturesome are close in meaning, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When would foolhardy be a good substitute for venturesome?

The words foolhardy and venturesome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When might rash be a better fit than venturesome?

In some situations, the words rash and venturesome are roughly equivalent. However, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

In what contexts can reckless take the place of venturesome?

While in some cases nearly identical to venturesome, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

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 venturesome Rebecca Horn, a venturesome artist whose work explored states of transformation and viewed the body as a portal to other dimensions, died on Saturday at 80. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2024 Don Murray, the venturesome actor who earned an Oscar nomination for playing a rodeo cowboy smitten by Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop, then spurned Hollywood’s attempts to mold him, has died. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024 For example, until the early 2000s, Countrywide did no subprime lending, leaving the field to the venturesome likes of the Money Store and Guardian S&L. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 2023 Part of a string of recent high-profile divorce records, Chemistry represents Clarkson at her most venturesome and liberated. Vulture, 27 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for venturesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venturesome
Adjective
  • Overall, this is a less-adventurous release than past chapters of Little Book, but there are a range of classic bourbon notes like vanilla, maple, honey, pear, baked apple, and that signature Jim Beam peanut note.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Spend a day at Baía do Sancho, often ranked the world’s best beach for its turquoise water, abundant marine life, and adventurous cliffside access.
    Carla Vianna, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Two decades ago, when the NFL's base offense consisted of two backs with a blocking tight end and only two wide receivers, an elite cornerback could often take away half of the dangerous receiving options.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Rae’s dress featured a dramatic deep V neckline and nude illusion mesh straps that create a daring contrast against the gown’s sleek black fabric.
    Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Her nude mani was rounded but with a square tip, which is the perfect mix between elegant and daring.
    Ana Serrano, Glamour, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The result, Kahn says, is that parts of Earth’s orbital environment are rife with hazardous objects that can collide with vital space infrastructure.
    Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
  • All seven patients were cleared almost immediately and no hazardous materials turned up on base, Fox News is told.
    Jennifer Griffin , Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The right-hander generated a ground ball to get the force out at home in an extremely close call, and the very next pitch was a risky fly out tracked down by Andy Pages (who entered the game after the bases were loaded).
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The seedless doctrine For years, Tangem campaigned against seed phrases as risky and error-prone, arguing that paper or metal backups become a single, theft-prone secret that ordinary people routinely mishandle.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Even through a perilous run of Eastern Conference playoff contenders, riddled with late-game scenarios, Chicago has clutched its formula.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Facing violence at home in Myanmar and increasingly difficult living conditions in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rohingya from both countries regularly attempt perilous journeys by sea, including to Malaysia and Indonesia.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venturesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venturesome. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.

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