RECKLESS Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'reckless' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reckless are adventurous , daredevil , daring , foolhardy , rash , and venturesome . While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences. // a reckless driver

Q: When can 'adventurous' be used instead of 'reckless'?

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

Q: When might 'daredevil' be a better fit than 'reckless'?

Although the words daredevil and reckless have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring. // daredevil motorcyclists

Q: When would 'daring' be a good substitute for 'reckless'?

The synonyms daring and reckless are sometimes interchangeable, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger. // daring mountain climbers

Q: In what contexts can 'foolhardy' take the place of 'reckless'?

While the synonyms foolhardy and reckless are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense. // the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Q: Where would 'rash' be a reasonable alternative to 'reckless'?

The words rash and reckless can be used in similar contexts, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought. // a rash decision

Q: When could 'venturesome' be used to replace 'reckless'?

While in some cases nearly identical to reckless , venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings. // venturesome stunt pilots

reckless

adjective

ˈre-kləs

Definition of reckless

as in daring

having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions the reckless skiers were making everyone nervous by schussing down the mountainside at lightning speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courageous

foolishly adventurous or bold the calamitous accident was caused by a reckless driver who cut off the semitrailer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective reckless contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reckless are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, rash, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When can adventurous be used instead of reckless?

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

adventurous pioneers

When might daredevil be a better fit than reckless?

Although the words daredevil and reckless have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for reckless?

The synonyms daring and reckless are sometimes interchangeable, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

In what contexts can foolhardy take the place of reckless?

While the synonyms foolhardy and reckless are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would rash be a reasonable alternative to reckless?

The words rash and reckless can be used in similar contexts, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When could venturesome be used to replace reckless?

While in some cases nearly identical to reckless, 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 reckless The Lake County, Indiana, Prosecutor's Office said Jose Lopez Alonso is charged with one count of causing a death while operating a vehicle while intoxicated and one count of reckless homicide, both felonies. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 What unfolds is a heartbreaking, at times haunting story about a little boy who strove to become a legend, and the woman who understood his manic, at times reckless drive. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 Officers arrested Mia Dawson, 20, in relation to the incident on charges of operating while impaired, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injuring. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 But Mahomes made an exceedingly rare play that looked reckless. — Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reckless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless

Adjective

The project has since taken the brand on daring and adventurous trips to the most remote locations around the world, all documented by Mollison.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
At the center of it all is the daring, epic raid on a bank vault deep beneath the streets of Zurich.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of daring

Adjective

As with any courageous statement, acceptance is rarely unanimous.

— Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Sadly, sports reformers across the country have abandoned the hard work of courageous whistleblowers, such as Bensel-Meyers, and now sing the tune of college athlete compensation.

— Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

Gortner also starred with Lynda Carter in Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976), appeared in the daredevil biopic Viva Knievel!

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Prince Harry went skydiving near Toronto on Friday, but the daredevil move wasn't just for fun.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of daredevil

Adjective

One fascination of this brave book—brave in its disclosures but more so in its demands, its spiritual rigor, and its ardent intellectualism—lies in watching the eloquent, intelligent sufferer steadily entrapping herself.

— James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Prioritizing oneself is something Ariana Grande has been brave about as well, with Grande perhaps the poster child for the biggest mental health story of the year.

— Rob LeDonne, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of brave

Adjective

The upcoming iPhone Duo’s eye-popping $2,000 starting price may be bordering on fiscally irresponsible for many consumers.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
This irresponsible policymaking is causing rural hospitals and clinics to close, kicking the poor, seniors, and people with disabilities off their health care, and sending health insurance premiums skyrocketing for individual marketplace buyers.

— WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of irresponsible

Adjective

The Original Series, Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
And for an actress whose adventurous filmography spans the Hollywood blockbuster Pacific Rim and the offbeat indie Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, the role draws on more of her range than ever.

— Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of adventurous

Adjective

Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
According to police, the driver was cited for careless driving.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

But Trump’s predictions about the war’s duration have proven foolhardy before.

— Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Canada, understandably, has no interest in becoming the 51st state, but becoming the honorary 28th member of the European Union would be foolhardy.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of foolhardy

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reckless

recklessly

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“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reckless

adjective

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