daredevil 1 of 2

Definition of daredevilnext
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daredevil

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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
Keanu Reeves is back as Canadian daredevil toy Duke Caboom. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026 The tower is massive — roughly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower — and Shiloh Hunter (Virginia Gardner) is an influencer known for sharing daredevil climbing clips. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Tree often performed as his alter ego, Turbo, a clumsy, scooter-loving daredevil known for his signature bowl cut haircut, oversized JNCO jeans, and vibrant windbreaker jackets. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 Protest Passion Project The Climb was first unveiled by Beta Cinema at the European Film Market in February 2022, with Delevingne (Carnival Row) attached as a daredevil climber who protests against oil drilling in the Arctic by ascending The Shard. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Looking back to 2017, Pippa Middleton attended day seven of the championships in a daring look that deserves a second glance.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026
  • No genre of art requires more daring.
    Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • The aim is the same the world over, but this rodeo is in Australia, where cattle stations dwarf even those in the United States, creating a familiar yet distinct cowboy culture.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Top-name cowboys competed in the three days of bronc riding, bull dogging, bull riding and calf riding.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • While this happened during my tenure as Superintendent, the hard and courageous work of the members of the Chicago Police Department should be given the credit.
    Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • In another less courageous version, Carmy would simply learn to delegate and calm down rather than admit there was no healthy way forward for him at the Bear.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • As for cosmic weather this week, the planets align on June 28, igniting our adventurous spirits and libidos, eager to live life in the moment and sojourn onward!
    Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026
  • More adventurous travelers should also make a point to explore nearby Seven Bends State Park or hike up to the Woodstock Tower.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 June 2026
  • Beloved baby brother, American [WWII bronze star veteran], husband, father of 4 strong women, [grandpa], adorable scamp, handsome devil, and trickster to the end.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Good luck to these brave souls, who will face countless questions about this event at premieres and upfronts for the rest of their lives.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • Clive was big, and bombastic, and brave, and full of ideas, and just believed, believed, believed, believed.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Ozzy was the madman up front, usually singing brooding lyrics written by Geezer.
    Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 June 2026
  • Verbinski’s latest, a genre-bending sci-fi that sees Sam Rockwell as a time-travelling madman recruiting help to save humanity from the threat of artificial intelligence, led the director to take a deep dive into new tools.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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