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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 There were early reports of LLM results being used in reckless ways – producing arguments and documents including hallucinations, unchecked by human oversight. John Werner, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 The same could be asked of Musk’s reckless slash-and-burn tactics with DOGE, which are beginning to provoke backlash as popular programs are cut and job losses pile up, along with lawsuits. Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 This problem was created over many years with the passage of numerous pieces of reckless legislation. Jesse Pippy, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025 Wallen was charged with two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment last year, according to Fox 17. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • In stereotypical movies, the gallant hero saves the damsel through daring, dramatic action.
    Amanda Nguyen, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
  • From her daring stage outfits to her elegant red carpet ensembles, there's no look that's gone untouched by the experimental trendsetter.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Above all, California needs interest groups, lawmakers and a courageous governor willing to set aside politics as usual and commit to tackling hard problems.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For mentees just starting their careers, having a safe space to discuss professional aspirations and share concerns makes all the difference in their ability to take courageous risks.
    Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The Bengal mix feline loves participating in whatever his daredevil owner, Ivan Kuznetsov, does.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor has also emerged as a brave and outspoken advocate against harassment in the film industry, delivering a message that has served as an example and source of encouragement for many other women in the industry.
    The Glamour editors, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2025
  • That was incredibly brave of your brother and now sister-in-law.
    Taylor Mims, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite creating jobs and potential environmental benefits, chronic mismanagement and escalating costs have eroded public trust, making continued taxpayer support irresponsible.
    Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • While opponents decried the debt package as financially irresponsible, allies of the mayor defended it as a typical and crucial way to fund basic infrastructure work.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Often, adventurous children or adults help nature along by prodding the pods open, and blowing the seeds in the silk into the wind.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Plenty of tour operators offer adventurous journeys from women: Sisters Traveling Solo, which sold out its 2024 tours; Wild Women Expeditions, an operator with tours in 27 countries; and Adventure Women, founded in 1982.
    Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • She was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • On March 19, 2024, Huger was charged with a DUI and DWI on the counts of: negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The forecasting teams were also brave (or foolhardy) enough to make forecasts early, which required projecting months into the future.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2015
  • Adhering to this absurd rule requiring a three-quarters supermajority of Democrats in order to act would be foolhardy in the extreme.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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