daredevil 1 of 2

1
2

daredevil

2 of 2

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

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 daredevil
Adjective
Born Richard Totten Button on July 18, 1929, the daredevil athlete defied both gravity and expectations during his career. Holly Yan, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 Due to his high-flying, daredevil move set and unique presentation, Hardy became one of the most popular WWE Superstars of the 2000s. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Now social media has attracted a new generation of daredevils. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024 Some 900 attendees stare, rapt, as the daredevils loop and arc on their bikes, the wheels illuminated. Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Democrats slammed the Signal chat as a reckless violation of secrecy that could have put service members in harm’s way.
    Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Marcantonio faces four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and a single count each of reckless driving, failure to maintain the proper lane and first-degree manslaughter.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Both announcements were mocked for their pace, but could any other show or movie pull off such a daring (yet glacially slow) event for something as ordinary as a release date or cast reveal?
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Co-created with star Stephen Graham, the four-part series uses a daring one-shot for each episode to call attention to widespread reports of young boys involved in knife crimes.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, stabilizers are cowboys tasked with wrangling a very specific herd: water.
    Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • How many movie cowboys would admit that? ‘Shirkers’ (2018) Stream it on Netflix.
    Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His stage name, combining the loyal, strong, and courageous Hindu god Hanuman with the rest of mankind, gives a sense of how lofty his ambitions for his music are.
    Isha Sharma, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The courageous, notoriously hard-working star was there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dollywood.
    Robin Raven, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The best tiny house rentals are a neat way to explore boundaries of space with a special someone or have an adventurous getaway on a budget.
    Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The company leaps right past the common four-berth pop-up camper to create a five-seat five-sleeper Sprinter 170 that's every bit as rugged, adventurous and versatile as its smaller 144s.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • To break the cycle of bias, Play devil’s advocate with yourself.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Fire in the birthing cabin, where another devil stands.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • LaBruce’s idiosyncrasy is connected to the fearless audacity of his brave, tragic inspiration, Pasolini.
    Armond White, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This industry is wild, man, with brave human beings who can look at something for its wholeness and take the crookeds with the straights, to quote August Wilson.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Something long and meandering like this: For the next four years, the United States will be an unpredictable, unsteady global superpower run by a fascist oligarchy, in which the people’s representatives cater to a madman’s whim.
    Eli Grober, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
  • There’s also Anthony Perkins as a madman in a preacher’s robe who is obsessed with China Blue.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on daredevil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!