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
This meant casting Quinn didn’t only involve finding someone who could balance a devil-may-care attitude with high intellect, but also someone who fit into the familial image and feeling Marvel and Disney were trying to create.
—
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 Apr. 2025
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The surreal beauty of Jekyll Island, Georgia, proves an enchanting backdrop for fantastic silhouettes, playful textures, and a devil-may-care romantic flair.
—Tyler Mitchell, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
Eve Plumb struck a devil-may-care pose in New York City.
—John Russell, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the years, however, her devil-may-care approach has mutated into an inability to accept any criticism, real or imagined, and view it as unfounded hate or maliciousness against the chaos of her life.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
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
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
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 Apr. 2025
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The surreal beauty of Jekyll Island, Georgia, proves an enchanting backdrop for fantastic silhouettes, playful textures, and a devil-may-care romantic flair.
—Tyler Mitchell, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
Eve Plumb struck a devil-may-care pose in New York City.
—John Russell, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the years, however, her devil-may-care approach has mutated into an inability to accept any criticism, real or imagined, and view it as unfounded hate or maliciousness against the chaos of her life.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
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
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
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
Instead, the reaction in Washington has been remarkably nonchalant, illustrating how thoroughly expectations of leader authenticity have eroded.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
-
And Sean was so, nonchalant about it.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
An arrest warrant was obtained for Lacy for negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Reinoso-Gallegos was arrested without incident and transported to Troop H where he was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle at too slow speed and second-degree reckless endangerment.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To dust off its cobwebs and go back to my earlier days of carefree riding?—
Alfredo Sosa,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 Apr. 2025
-
At the first spray, top notes of luscious blackcurrants dance across your skin before intermingling with dainty peach blossoms for a carefree vibe.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Retreat Linen Top and matching Mid-rise Shorts, both over 40 percent off, can be styled together for a polished resort outfit or worn separately with basics for casual, everyday wear.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
-
If the weather promises to be nice, pull the picnic tables together for a casual potluck gathering full of everyone's favorite Easter food.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
-
That would be daredevil buddies Max and Benj Cave (brothers whose middle names are both Storror), Callum and Sacha Powell (also brothers), Drew Taylor, Toby Segar and Josh Burnett-Blake, who started out simply horsing around, filming pranks and sharing them online.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Colossal’s cavalier plans to use captive elephants as surrogates for mammoth calves illustrate an old problem in modern wildlife conservation: indifference towards individual animal suffering.—
Nitin Sekar,
ArsTechnica,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Among some Republicans, there is also an element of trepidation about the political impact of Musk’s cavalier approach.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Upon hearing the noise, everyone falls to the ground unconscious, except for Cameron, who is unaffected.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
General manager Chris MacFarland’s daring and dramatic midseason overhaul of his roster has remade, reinvented and reinvigorated the Avalanche.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Which is what the U.S. will be celebrating next year, marking our daring break from Great Britain and the founding of the nation.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share