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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foolhardy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foolhardy are adventurous, daredevil, daring, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would adventurous be a reasonable alternative to foolhardy?

The meanings of adventurous and foolhardy largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When is daredevil a more appropriate choice than foolhardy?

The words daredevil and foolhardy can be used in similar contexts, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for foolhardy?

The words daring and foolhardy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When might rash be a better fit than foolhardy?

In some situations, the words rash and foolhardy are roughly equivalent. However, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When can reckless be used instead of foolhardy?

While in some cases nearly identical to foolhardy, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When is it sensible to use venturesome instead of foolhardy?

While the synonyms venturesome and foolhardy 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 foolhardy However, that was several lifetimes ago, before the distance running boom, when marathoning was the rarest of efforts, widely considered a foolhardy and potentially lethal endeavor. Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024 To ask the most American of movie stars to play this iconic English figure was foolhardy, and his down-to-earth authenticity gets him nowhere in the role. Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024 Overshadowing the endorsement was a foolhardy rhetorical flourish that insulted key voting blocs courted by the Republican nominee in his campaign against the Democratic nominee, New York Governor Grover Cleveland. Robert B. Mitchell / Made By History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 An empathy gap is obvious in online commenters who suggest, for example, that flood victims earned their fate through the foolhardy choice to live near water, that earthquake victims shouldn’t have lived near fault lines, and so on. Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for foolhardy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolhardy
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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Above all, California needs interest groups, lawmakers and a courageous governor willing to set aside politics as usual and commit to tackling hard problems.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For mentees just starting their careers, having a safe space to discuss professional aspirations and share concerns makes all the difference in their ability to take courageous risks.
    Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With temperatures around 30 degrees on Saturday, almost 100 brave Special Olympic athletes, coaches, students and community volunteers took the Polar Plunge at Valparaiso University.
    Deena Butterfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
  • For decades, brave activists struggled for inclusion in a society so disabling that few disabled people could pursue a career.
    Danilyn Rutherford, TIME, 22 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
  • An adventurous death trip that will magically drive them both from their hovel to the wild mountains and up to New York, from suffocating reality to absolute freedom.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Beachgoers can enjoy the calm turquoise waters and white sand, or jump on a catamaran for an adventurous day at sea.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foolhardy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foolhardy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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