foolhardy

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhär-dē 

: foolishly adventurous and bold : rash

a foolhardy explorer

foolhardy investors

foolhardily

ˈfül-ˌhär-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

ˈfül-ˌhär-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• audacious
• brash
• daredevil
• madcap
• overbold
• overconfident
• reckless
• temerarious

Choose the Right Synonym for foolhardy

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of foolhardy in a Sentence

hikers who were foolhardy enough to remain on the summit during a thunderstorm

it's foolhardy to go hiking during late fall without warm clothes

Recent Examples on the Web

The brave—or foolhardy—among us can even love to love it. —Simon Garfield, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024

The resulting foolhardy litigation cost city taxpayers more than $3.7 million in legal fees. —Mercury News Editorial, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024

In their three preseason games the Browns chose not to play any of their regulars - including, and especially Watson - a decision that seemed dubious in the moment, and foolhardy in light of the team’s embarrassing showing in Sunday’s first game of the season. —Jim Ingraham, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Living at such a low elevation in a part of the country that has been torn up by hurricanes repeatedly might seem foolhardy. —Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

foolhardy

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhärd-ē 

: foolishly adventurous or bold

foolhardily

-ˌhärd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

-ˌhärd-ē-nəs 

noun