foolhardy

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhär-dē 

: foolishly adventurous and bold : rash

a foolhardy explorer

foolhardy investors

foolhardily

ˈfül-ˌhär-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

ˈfül-ˌhär-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• reckless
• courageous
• brave
• daredevil
• adventurous

Choose the Right Synonym for foolhardy

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of foolhardy in a Sentence

hikers who were foolhardy enough to remain on the summit during a thunderstorm

it's foolhardy to go hiking during late fall without warm clothes

Recent Examples on the Web

But while Martinez no longer is CPS CEO, that’s a foolhardy assumption so long as that pension fund solely is the city’s legal responsibility. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025

Hammack should have replied to Smith that a central banker planning something as complicated as the cost of credit would be as foolhardy as a president planning Harvard’s class of 2029, multiplied by many millions. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

The actress recently defended the NBC mockumentary sitcom’s later seasons following the departure of Carell’s foolhardy Dunder Mifflin branch manager character Michael Scott after Season 7 in 2011. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 May 2025

But continuity has always seemed an optional buy-in with M:I. A taste for elaborate, foolhardy, daredevil stunts is the only real prerequisite. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foolhardy

• sephardi
• hardie
• lardy
• pardy
• tardy

Kids Definition

foolhardy

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhärd-ē 

: foolishly adventurous or bold

foolhardily

-ˌhärd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

foolhardiness

-ˌhärd-ē-nəs 

noun