foolhardy

1 of 2

adjective

fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhär-dē How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
Synonyms of foolhardy
: foolishly adventurous and bold : rash
a foolhardy explorer
foolhardy investors
foolhardily
ˈfül-ˌhär-dᵊl-ē How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
adverb
foolhardiness
ˈfül-ˌhär-dē-nəs How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
noun

foolhardiness

2 of 2

noun

: the quality or state of being foolhardy
courage … the mean between foolhardiness and cowardice—G. L. Dickinson

Synonyms of foolhardy

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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

Adjective 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
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.
Adjective
Such foolhardy male striving, the movie suggests, is all too often destructive. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 But for this period of time, there were assumptions that were getting made that were not foolhardy, completely. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 May 2026 However foolhardy, counterproductive and costly, cities have a right to challenge state laws. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 Obsessing over Cabrera’s fastball is foolhardy. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foolhardy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English folhardinesse, from folhardy + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foolhardy was in the 13th century

Rhymes for foolhardy

See All Rhymes for foolhardy

Browse Nearby Words

foolhardiness
foolhardy
fool hay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foolhardy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foolhardy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

foolhardy

adjective
fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhärd-ē How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
: foolishly adventurous or bold
foolhardily
-ˌhärd-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
adverb
foolhardiness
-ˌhärd-ē-nəs How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on foolhardy

Nglish: Translation of foolhardy for Spanish Speakers

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