1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner
a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game
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2
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
the devil-may-care speed with which he drives his sports car is going to cause a lot of grief someday
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3
as in carefree
having or showing freedom from worries or troubles
the devil-may-care attitude that some people have about needlessly contributing to global warming
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Recent Examples of devil-may-care
Sure, but this is another bit of evidence on the pile of moments of Kate making judgment calls that can be seen as using the tools at her disposal or as devil-may-care failures to heed guidance from others.
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Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
These colognes carry an edgy, devil-may-care attitude, and despite their playful connotations, the fragrance world takes liquor accords seriously.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Mitchell’s Hedwig is equal parts glamour and grunge, toeing the line between devil-may-care individuality and crippling self-doubt.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
The two actors play off each other well enough, contrasting Damon’s caustic deadpan with Affleck’s devil-may-care flippancy.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Lehrer’s senior quote speaks to a kind of devil-may-care boyishness.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
These colognes carry an edgy, devil-may-care attitude, and despite their playful connotations, the fragrance world takes liquor accords seriously.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Mitchell’s Hedwig is equal parts glamour and grunge, toeing the line between devil-may-care individuality and crippling self-doubt.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
The two actors play off each other well enough, contrasting Damon’s caustic deadpan with Affleck’s devil-may-care flippancy.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Lehrer’s senior quote speaks to a kind of devil-may-care boyishness.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
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Chilling video showed a Mississippi teen murder suspect's nonchalant attitude after allegedly shooting and killing her mother, with the girl seen texting following the act.Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 20 Sep. 2024
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The moment was so nonchalant that Michael Porter Jr. didn’t even notice what had happened from the bench.Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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He was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE.Daniela Avila, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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The original charges — three felony counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct — were pled down this week.Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In August 2021, a post was made on Reddit with the same caption, plastered over a photo of Drake looking carefree and elated.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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Carefree Crepe Wrap Blazer The carefree crepe wrap blazer is tailored for a perfect fit, while a wrap front and tie belt closure help accentuate and flatter the waist.Michelle Mastro, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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And where better to start than at a casual event filled with diverse people in a relaxed setting?Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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These low-heeled platform ankle boots start at $40 and are just the thing for casual sightseeing days followed by dancing the night away.Brittany VanDerBill, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In 1910, a quarter of a million people had spent 10 days swooning over the Los Angeles International Aviation Meet — the nation’s first daredevil airshow.Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
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Planes were first introduced into combat service during World War I, and the pioneering pilots who manned them became masters of the air, deploying daredevil maneuvers to outwit the enemy.Kinsey Gidick, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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That’s why many of crypto’s more cavalier coders headed to other blockchains to tinker and do things like build decentralized applications.MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024
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Lucas was shocked and hurt that his generous offers kept being rebuffed; the people who organized against him were indignant that a billionaire could be so cavalier about their public land.Elizabeth Blackwell, Longreads, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Despite the order, Canadians can still access TikTok, as the app itself remains unaffected by the directive.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Network connectivity to Meta's frontend web servers remains unaffected.Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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More recently, on October 26, 2024, Israel executed its most daring suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses since Mole Cricket 19, carried out over a greater distance and against more targets than the sole target of Operation Opera.Paul Iddon, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Similar to how Pugh swiped liner above and across her upper eyelid for a bold and otherworldly look, this is your sign to be daring and experimental with your makeup.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near devil-may-care
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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