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Definition of recklessnext
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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 Much of the additional supply reflects long lead projects sanction years ago, not reckless new investment, Staples said. Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 7 Jan. 2026 Critics at home nonetheless called it reckless and unauthorized, while the administration pointed to the WPR and long-standing criminal indictments as sufficient legal basis. Paul Vallas, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026 More reckless spending justified as political resistance. Brian Jones, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026 The latter's exceptionally epic run during season 5 displayed the kind of reckless flair and horniness not seen on television since Samantha Jones—another PR maven from the mind of Darren Star—sashayed out of our lives with the final Sex and the City film in 2010. Sam Reed, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reckless
Adjective
  • Vitale’s debut collection was one of the most anticipated of last season, and was lauded by critics as daring, original and delightfully wacky.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, the two-part documentary explores the fascinating, hilarious, and often heartbreaking life story of one of Hollywood’s most daring satirists, tracing how laughter became Brooks’ lifelong survival tool.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • From her perspective, seeking support is not a lack of discipline, but a rational and courageous response to a complex condition that thrives in silence.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
  • When somebody like Will Smith is courageous enough to be vulnerable and to immerse himself in, for my episode, Antarctica, the audience is able to see themselves through Will.
    Abigail Wise, Outside, 3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The daredevil sequence sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) hijack a biplane to chase down the villainous Gabriel (Esai Morales), who's in a biplane of his own.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025
  • With the region offering four seasons of thrills— from hut-to-hut hikes and epic powder days to daredevil road trips—there’s really no bad time to visit.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Those specifics aside, more stunningly, researchers discovered that these brave, early explorers of new worlds demonstrated a different way of moving than had been previously understood.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
  • If Tulsa, Oklahoma, can create this support system from scratch and help thousands of strangers succeed in a new town, any organization can adapt to support their employees in our brave, new remote world.
    Justin Harlan, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Find them wherever there’s Vietnamese iced coffee and irresponsible chord progressions.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Part of me worries that choosing the show would be irresponsible and set me back financially and professionally, while another part of me feels like opportunities like this don’t come around twice.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The couple also chose an adventurous activity for their honeymoon in 1996.
    Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Desserts, too, are both adventurous and delicious.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The driver of the truck was cited for careless driving; the vehicle was not equipped with chains, but chains were not required under state law in Friday morning’s conditions, according to Colorado State Patrol.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Drug, alcohol, careless living.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There is another reason why lifting the deposit insurance limits is foolhardy.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In Pynchon’s best works, his bleakness is brightened, in both senses—illuminated and made lighter—by the sweep of his vision and his affection for his fallible, foolhardy, well-meaning, wildly outmatched main characters.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on reckless

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