1
as in daring
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
the reckless skiers were making everyone nervous by schussing down the mountainside at lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courageous
foolishly adventurous or bold
the calamitous accident was caused by a reckless driver who cut off the semitrailer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Cockran is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
This was a result of a deliberate, reckless act of the driver.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
After Henderson’s Riley McKay made reckless contact with Clang early in Wednesday’s second period, Gulls forward Tristan Luneau skated in, flipped McKay on his back and unleashed a series of punches to McKay’s face.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
When lawful residents are harmed by reckless enforcement, something has gone deeply wrong.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reckless
Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
This was a result of a deliberate, reckless act of the driver.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
After Henderson’s Riley McKay made reckless contact with Clang early in Wednesday’s second period, Gulls forward Tristan Luneau skated in, flipped McKay on his back and unleashed a series of punches to McKay’s face.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
When lawful residents are harmed by reckless enforcement, something has gone deeply wrong.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reckless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
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
-
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
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
Adjective
-
The parents of the three Miami Yacht Club summer campers who were killed last summer when a 60-foot barge slammed into their sailboat sued the company that owns the barge, alleging negligence and irresponsible hiring.—
Milena Malaver,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The parents of the three Miami Yacht Club summer campers who were killed last summer when a 60-foot barge slammed into their sailboat sued the company that owns the barge and tugboat pushing the barge, alleging negligence and irresponsible hiring.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
11 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
Adjective
-
Brooklyn got careless, committing nine turnovers in the quarter.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That will be the difference in the game unless Darnold is careless with the ball.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
History suggests that declaring a front-runner in a presidential campaign nearly three years before Election Day is foolhardy to the point of recklessness.—
Adam Lashinsky,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
So Sumrall’s original words may have felt foolhardy, even fake.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reckless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reckless. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
