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daredevil

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noun

as in cowboy
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daredevil contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of daredevil are adventurous, daring, foolhardy, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would adventurous be a good substitute for daredevil?

The synonyms adventurous and daredevil are sometimes interchangeable, but adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When could daring be used to replace daredevil?

In some situations, the words daring and daredevil are roughly equivalent. However, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When is foolhardy a more appropriate choice than daredevil?

The meanings of foolhardy and daredevil largely overlap; however, 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 daredevil?

Although the words rash and daredevil have much in common, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When might reckless be a better fit than daredevil?

The words reckless and daredevil can be used in similar contexts, but reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

In what contexts can venturesome take the place of daredevil?

While the synonyms venturesome and daredevil are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

Examples 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 daredevil
Adjective
Her new boyfriend is daredevil LAPD cop Alex Shaw (Jason Patric). Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 Famed daredevil Evil Knievel bought one, which sold a few years later to New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson. Brett Berk, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
Played by a seemingly fearless Will Price, Lucas is a daredevil chasing great bodily harm following the off-screen death of his father. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 More great reads This daredevil has one of the most dangerous jobs. Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for daredevil 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • Donald Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons has been one of obsessive and reckless bombast.
    Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Sargeant was charged with two counts of first degree assault, two counts of first degree reckless endangerment, and several second degree counts for menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
    Stepheny Price, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The television-programming sea, after all, is full of sharks: How daring can Squid 2 be (or afford to be) without falling into the jaws of preposterousness?
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
  • One unsuccessful play shed light on just how daring Penn State plans to be this postseason.
    Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Where to Play Channel your inner cowboy (or girl) on a snowy trail ride at Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch, led by fifth-generation wrangler (and enthralling storyteller) Ray Heid ($150).
    Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 10 Dec. 2024
  • No, this episode seems largely about how John Dutton’s death is impacting the cowboys on the ranch.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • If a compilation of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s defending is in the works then footage of his courageous goal-saving clearance against Brighton & Hove Albion merits an inclusion.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Remembering and sharing the story of the courageous Maccabees and the Temple of Jerusalem where oil burned for eight long nights, this book is the perfect way for kids to learn and appreciate the importance of the holiday.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • An inquisitive, adventurous spirit appears to be the special sauce as long as it’s channeled and catalyzed in a healthy way.
    Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Then my friend Kevin and I did an adventurous run/hike up Pyramid Buttes this September, and there was so much goddamn deadfall.
    Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Sipping whiskey, a wise devil offers: Advice love, giant love, self love, superstar love, dumb love, trouble love?
    Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
  • People gather expectantly on the streets or gaze from their windows, and then the performers arrive, all garbed in red devil costumes, complete with horns and pitchforks covered in sparkling fireworks.
    Matt Ralphs, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Even Zelensky, who has put on a brave face for his people from the very moment the war began, is dropping some of his maximalist demands.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Without brave leadership, however, Israel’s opportunity could slip away.
    Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Who but a madman would become obsessed with the stuff?
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Yet Ronald Richter, the Austrian physicist whom Perón chose to head his nascent nuclear program, turned out to be part con man and part madman.
    Jacques E. C. Hymans, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2012

Thesaurus Entries Near daredevil

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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