daredevil 1 of 2

adjective

ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl How to pronounce daredevil (audio)
Definition of daredevilnext
1
as in reckless
foolishly adventurous or bold his daredevil stunts are sure to end in disaster someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in daring
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions a daredevil driver who thinks that drag racing on city streets is a harmless game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

daredevil

2 of 2

noun

as in cowboy
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daredevil contrast with its synonyms?

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

daredevil motorcyclists

When would adventurous be a good substitute for daredevil?

The synonyms adventurous and daredevil are sometimes interchangeable, but adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When could daring be used to replace daredevil?

In some situations, the words daring and daredevil are roughly equivalent. However, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When is foolhardy a more appropriate choice than daredevil?

The meanings of foolhardy and daredevil largely overlap; however, 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 daredevil?

Although the words rash and daredevil have much in common, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When might reckless be a better fit than daredevil?

The words reckless and daredevil can be used in similar contexts, but reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

In what contexts can venturesome take the place of daredevil?

While the synonyms venturesome and daredevil 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 daredevil
Adjective
At this time, Moore says, aviation was considered a daredevil sport, and successful pilots, especially in France, became celebrities. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 May 2026 Mira was an amiable baby, a daredevil toddler, and, once Dylan arrived, a menace. — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Noun
Hollywood was founded by daredevils, from the cowboys who galloped here to become stuntmen, to the small-town girls who bucked the pressure to get married and moved west to chase a one-in-a-million dream. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 For the anarchic, nearly surreal nature of the bits that make legendary cinematic daredevils ranging from Buster Keaton to Jackie Chan seem like wimps. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
  1. reckless
  2. daring
  3. cowboy
  4. courageous
  5. adventurous
  6. devil
  7. brave
  8. madman
Adjective
  • Authorities say the employee who discharged the firearm has been charged with reckless conduct.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family filed a summons with notice against Durnan in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing him of assault, gross negligence, and reckless and wanton conduct in connection with the woman’s death.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Even the films that aren’t explicitly about the next generation often have a stasis-like quality to them, refusing to take risks or stray from the original films in any daring way, that feels apiece with where modern franchise filmmaking is in 2026.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The tactics used are as unconventional and daring as those in spy novels.
    — Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of daring
Noun
  • Don your spiffiest ten-gallon hat and boots, bring your whole family, and experience cowboy core like never before.
    — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Everyone chuckled, especially our Argentinian hosts, who had never met an Idaho cowboy quite like True before.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cowboy
Adjective
  • And what was the courageous act of the Indiana Fever guard, who turns 30 this month?
    — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The sun in Leo is expressive, vivacious and deeply courageous.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of courageous
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
Noun
  • Throughout the movie, two mentors stand over each of his shoulders like an aproned angel and devil.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There’s also a devil, all too ready to perch on his other shoulder, too.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of devil
Adjective
  • In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Be brave and ask him if he has been involved with anyone else.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of brave
Noun
  • Many writers travelled to Jonestown to survey the shambles and determine whether this was a utopian experiment gone astray or a madman’s fever dream destined to fail.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • The garages at drag events are full of red-eyed madmen who have sold their houses and chased their wives and children away in pursuit of this.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
Definition of madman

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on daredevil

Nglish: Translation of daredevil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about daredevil

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