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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

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
The two-hour performance features artists, aerialists, acrobats, comedians and daredevils. San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 As a biplane climbs to 8,500 feet, on a gloomy afternoon in April 1933, Swan’s daredevil plan is to leap from the metal hopper beneath the lower wing, drop through the clouds, and, at the precise moment the rocket in his backpack ignites, explode up into space. Howard Blum, airmail.news, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • This reckless governance has fueled a housing affordability crisis.
    Chris Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Now, as his reckless tariffs rattle markets and the stock market tumbles, the real cost of his policies is coming into view.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Wooster Group at 50: Elizabeth LeCompte and Kate Valk reflect on decades of making daring theater together.
    Alan Light, New York Times, 7 Apr. 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
  • The doc observes students shaping and driving courageous forms of conversation among themselves and with their institutions.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
  • John Lewis John Lewis, born in 1940 in Troy, Alabama, was a son of sharecroppers who became one of the most courageous and enduring voices of the Civil Rights Movement.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nick, the son of shipping tycoon Massimo Marone (Joseph Mascolo), often was depicted as an adventurous and ambitious man who worked as a sea captain.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There’s so much talent in New York, and diners are more curious, more adventurous, and more informed than ever.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 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
  • In the podcast, one of the things that struck both of us so much was this amazing, brave, vulnerable choice that the real Molly made to allow Nikki into that room to record her.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The 19-year-old, who plays for the Kansas City Current, roamed about central midfield Tuesday night with Albert and distinguished herself with her brave defending and positioning, according to Hayes.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His critics see a madman steering the economy toward crisis.
    Zachary Basu, Axios, 10 Apr. 2025
  • What would persuade anyone to release such a madman, a monster?
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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