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
-
Boone recalled this week Ichiro’s nonchalant response, which left Danley with more questions than answers.—
Chad Jennings,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Kraft struggled with both physical and mental difficulties throughout his life, and his nonchalant attitude toward money often made his life difficult.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
He’s become poised to the point of being unrecognizable from his Young Josh days as a gunslinging, sometimes reckless quarterback who sometimes took himself, his teammates and Bills fans on Sunday roller-coaster rides.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Frank Santoro with the L.A. County district attorney’s office argued the probation department was making the necessary improvements and releasing youth inside would be reckless.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Three women remain in a carefree state of limbo, tended to by an unseen, all-providing system.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2025
-
These bags channel a carefree, DIY spirit, embodying the bold, unfiltered ethos of the moment.—
Irina Grechko,
refinery29.com,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Find casual waffle knit pieces, sleek black sets, and more below—all $50 and below.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Not as a character so much as a reference point in casual dialogue.—
Glynnis MacNicol,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew A cavalier Jude Law as a space pirate meets four kids way too far from home, plus some secrets of the galaxy and the Old Republic.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Dec. 2024
-
In her opening statement, Johnson painted Baldwin, who starred in and produced the film, as cavalier with firearms and suggested that the cast and crew faced constraints, ramping up the risk of someone getting injured on set.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
10 July 2024
Adjective
-
Powell repeatedly has said the Fed is unaffected by political factors.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Smaller cruise lines that regularly dock in Nice or anchor in the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer including Sea Cloud Cruises, Windstar, and Atlas Ocean Voyages remain unaffected.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Indie filmmakers can make the daring projects a studio never would and do so on the cheap.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2025
-
They were rescued on July 2, 2008, in a daring military extraction known as Operation Jaque.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share