1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner
a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 devil-may-care
With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude.
—
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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.
—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
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
Other users weighed in with a more nonchalant mindset.—
Arabella Hau,
People.com,
16 Feb. 2025
-
His distinctive nonchalant California glam aesthetic has evolved in his properties throughout the West Coast.—
Sofia Celeste,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
As with much of U.S. politics right now, Texas v Becerra feels like a reckless attempt to pull us back to a former time.—
Rebekah Taussig,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
-
After reviewing the police investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, against Lopez, Barrington police said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the garden or in a container, this tidy, carefree evergreen forms a mound about 12 inches high and 18 inches wide.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2025
-
The palette was grapefruit pinks and dark, leafy greens as refracted through a glass of sparkling water; the presentation was as carefully carefree as her silky blowouts.—
Jessica Winter,
The New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Simultaneously elegant and casual, the resort feels like a hidden gem in Myrtle Beach.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Uniform options include business formal, business casual and tactical casual.—
Mia Galuppo,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
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
Adjective
-
According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Solano’s sentiment was shared Monday morning by other industry leaders and by former diplomatic officials who saw the cavalier way in which Colombia’s economic lifeline was being discussed — and potentially ruined — on social media as highly irresponsible.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
More than $50 million in federal funds that Alabama received for this year's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was unaffected by Trump's executive order because the funds came from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, al.com reported.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Since the law went into effect last month, TikTok — which claims 170 million U.S. users — has remained largely unaffected on American phones that had already downloaded the app.—
Sapna Maheshwari,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The delicate gold chains holding Johnson’s Gucci dress together recalled another sensual and daring red carpet look: the safety pin dress, which through the years, has been worn by Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart, and of course the vivacious original, Elizabeth Hurley in Versace.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In response, Rudolph lets his directorial vision loose here, a giddy cinematic id that displays more imagination and more daring in every cathode tube and every street sign, every growl and every rant, than most Hollywood movies have in their whole run time.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share