AUDACIOUS Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

audacious

adjective

ȯ-ˈdā-shəs

Definition of audacious

as in bold

displaying or marked by rude boldness with an audacious disregard for innocent bystanders, rival gang members opened fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in courageous

foolishly adventurous or bold an audacious effort to start her own business with no real plan or funding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adventurous

inclined or willing to take risks audacious adventurers risking everything they had for a shot at glory

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 audacious His gripping and meticulously researched book tells the story of an audacious operation by charting the exploits of both the perpetrators and the investigators. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026 It was said in jest, yet the sport’s most audacious instigators might take him up on it. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 23 July 2026 His fortunes started to change in his mid-50s, when he was cast in the 2008, off-Broadway revival of Sarah Kane’s audacious Blasted, as a bigoted and predatory tabloid writer. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 In looking back and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Viking missions to Mars, one is struck by the bold and audacious undertaking. — Leonard David, Space.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for audacious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacious

Adjective

One bold element makes an impact, but wouldn’t both be overwhelming?

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Five of the paintings have been newly cleaned, their brilliant palettes revealing a bold, experimental hand that deployed academic modeling and Impressionistic dissolution side by side.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of bold

Adjective

Chris Strouthopoulos is the founder of Ascent Empowerment, which helps adventurous men beat professional burnout.

— Chris Strouthopoulos, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Lenae welcomes an adventurous curiosity without being too hard on herself when her heart ends up on the chopping block.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of adventurous

Adjective

Franchise-wise, Armani Beauty has Privè, with unisex couture fragrances; Giorgio Armani, which is premium, and Emporio Armani, embodying the brand’s younger, urban facet.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026
While adding a tiny amount of salt to your coffee is generally safe, people on a low-salt diet or those with uncontrolled high blood pressure should consult a healthcare provider to see if this is a wise choice for them.

— Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

He was charged with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, the NYPD said, according to NBC News.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
The unlicensed doctor who runs the clinic, Luis Rojas Cabrera, was arrested for practicing without a license and reckless endangerment.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reckless

Adjective

There was plenty of action on Swiss National Day in Lausanne, with unfortunate crashes and a daring breakaway, but the top teams’ desire for that first leader’s jersey was always going to win out.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
These tumultuous incidents are bound by a daring half-hour-long scene of the driver’s erotic overnight reunion with his hard-living girlfriend, who wants to adopt the child.

— Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

Definition of daring

Adjective

Four suspects pulled off a brazen smash-and-grab robbery inside a Woodbridge, New Jersey, jewelry store over the weekend.

— Nick Caloway, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
In one of the most brazen moments captured on camera, investigators said the suspects pointed a firearm at the interior door connecting a garage to a home, apparently waiting for a homeowner to emerge.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of brazen

Adjective

But Mama’s imagination helps the time pass more quickly, and the duo become brave knights protecting from a dragon from a prince, or heroes capturing art thieves at a museum.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
The sight of the lone rider desperately trying to hold on as the crowd roars them towards the line is magical, despite such brave attempts rarely being successful.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of brave

Browse Nearby Words

auctions

audacious

audaciously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Audacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacious. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of audacious

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on audacious

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes