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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 The venturesome Robert Irwin produced a spectral sculpture for a California mall in 1970, and Takashi Murakami infamously incorporated a Louis Vuitton pop-up in his 2007—08 traveling museum retrospective. Andrew Russeth, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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
  • Today’s savvy travelers are chasing something deeper, more adventurous.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • As your child grows and becomes more adventurous, additions like a swimming pool or a trampoline can increase your rates.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, the Revolution had promising spells of attacking play and even looked the more dangerous side in the first half.
    Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
  • In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Five-foot-10 and 170 pounds in his prime, Rondell was known for his daring diving, gymnastic and hang-gliding skills.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Despite having attended the Met Gala just days prior, the couple still hit a sartorial home run in chic ensembles — Rocky in a black suit and tie and Rihanna in a daring blue Alaïa high-neck dress with waist cutouts.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The pace of the 2025 fires is reminiscent of the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, which exposed millions of people in North America to hazardous smoke levels.
    Jun Wang, Space.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The collapse of the bridge also caused hazardous debris to enter the Colorado River waterway.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Choose the concepts that challenge your thinking or open entirely new avenues — the ones that feel risky in an interesting way.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • But the crypto industry is made up largely of riskier products than stablecoins — and firms fear a future president could unravel much of what Trump has done to boost them.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Murphy only wants to escape and regain custody of his daughter, Penny, but becomes entangled in Clancy’s perilous gold smuggling scheme, facing threats from both the treacherous wilderness and potential betrayal within his own group.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The lack of comprehensive protections and support systems for athletes echoes the Wild West’s perilous landscape, where pioneers often had to fend for themselves amid uncertainty and danger.
    Jim Martin, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Away from football, this has more serious ramifications.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venturesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venturesome. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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