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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
Salazar gets some cool scenes that show the character’s prowess as a daredevil driver, a kickass fighter and an ace shooter. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025 Of course, memories of this viewing come to mind whenever a new video surfaces of a daredevil ski mountaineer descending a massive peak. Outside, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
More recently, the daredevil actor has focused on warm-up stretches, muscling his eight-film franchise to its explosive finale. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026 Grossu was a bit of a daredevil. Charlotte Observer, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • That came four plays before Maye threw another reckless pass into a crowd of Seahawks that fell incomplete.
    Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Nationalists cheered Takaichi for her intervention on the issue, which went much further than sitting Japanese leaders have gone previously, while others criticized it as reckless.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His daring, sometimes reckless style had caught up to him.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Five minutes can be an eternity in montage time, but the movie’s lengthy introduction is a daring announcement of historical scope.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This veteran droid is an even more Disneyfied version of VINCENT, who talks — for some reason — with the voice of legendary screen cowboy Slim Pickens.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The late Dan Smith, a Vietnam veteran, old-school west Texas cowboy who died in his son’s arms, a moment Mike would relive for months through night terrors and daytime flashbacks.
    Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Braver Angels has created a cross-partisan Civic Scholars Council to explore the meanings of courageous citizenship and examine lessons of America’s civic history from different vantages.
    Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Known for combining high fashion with streetwear, Bad Bunny has a reputation for adventurous and subversive style.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The run falls about 1,200 vertical feet below a slow, three-person lift that ferries expert skiers to some of Mammoth’s most adventurous terrain.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • To play devil’s advocate, Rodriguez has exhausted a lot of patience (there’s a funny quote in Felipe Cardenas’ analysis about his physical stats).
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Among the fastest-growing indoor plants is golden pathos or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum).
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The world must stand with the people of Iran before more of our bravest souls are lost.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Visitors can take a three-hour train from Zurich or Milan or brave the winding mountain passes by car.
    Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The 3 conditions for madman success The madman theory has historical roots going back to Machiavelli, but it is most closely associated with Richard Nixon, who, as incoming president, reportedly used the term to explain his approach to trying to force North Vietnam’s surrender in the Vietnam War.
    Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
  • His madman approach seems to not be working, as the EU seems steadfast against him (while here at home, President Gordo’s madness is still very evident).
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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