foolhardy

adjective

ˈfül-ˌhär-dē How to pronounce foolhardy (audio)
Definition of foolhardynext
1
as in reckless
foolishly adventurous or bold hikers who were foolhardy enough to remain on the summit during a thunderstorm

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 it's foolhardy to go hiking during late fall without warm clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foolhardy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of foolhardy are adventurous, daredevil, daring, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Where would adventurous be a reasonable alternative to foolhardy?

The meanings of adventurous and foolhardy largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When is daredevil a more appropriate choice than foolhardy?

The words daredevil and foolhardy can be used in similar contexts, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for foolhardy?

The words daring and foolhardy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When might rash be a better fit than foolhardy?

In some situations, the words rash and foolhardy are roughly equivalent. However, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When can reckless be used instead of foolhardy?

While in some cases nearly identical to foolhardy, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When is it sensible to use venturesome instead of foolhardy?

While the synonyms venturesome and foolhardy 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 foolhardy Speaking about his foolhardy antics, Knoxville told Vanity Fair in July 2023 that he had been denied medical coverage at least once. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026 The filmmaker’s passion for foolhardy underdogs and train-wreck charmers electrifies this tale of a postwar striver (an unbelievable Timothée Chalamet) trying to make his name in table tennis. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025 Instead, the town has been put under military quarantine, occupied by the same foolhardy industrial complex that started this whole mess in the first place. —Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025 There is another reason why lifting the deposit insurance limits is foolhardy. —Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foolhardy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foolhardy
  1. reckless
  2. daring
  3. courageous
  4. brave
  5. daredevil
  6. adventurous
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
Definition of reckless
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
Definition of daring
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
Definition of courageous
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
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • With the element of fire as an intensifier, the Fire Horse is the daredevil and thrill-seeker of the lunar cycle.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The daredevil athlete scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Jan. 25 with no ropes or protective equipment.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of daredevil
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
Definition of adventurous

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on foolhardy

Nglish: Translation of foolhardy for Spanish Speakers

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