venturesome

adjective

ˈven(t)-shər-səm How to pronounce venturesome (audio)
Definition of venturesomenext
1
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks a venturesome child tried to climb the huge tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury the first solo pilot to undertake the venturesome crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by air

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venturesome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of venturesome are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, rash, and reckless. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of venturesome?

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

adventurous pioneers

When can daredevil be used instead of venturesome?

The synonyms daredevil and venturesome are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When is daring a more appropriate choice than venturesome?

While the synonyms daring and venturesome are close in meaning, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When would foolhardy be a good substitute for venturesome?

The words foolhardy and venturesome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When might rash be a better fit than venturesome?

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

a rash decision

In what contexts can reckless take the place of venturesome?

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

a reckless driver

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 venturesome For example, until the early 2000s, Countrywide did no subprime lending, leaving the field to the venturesome likes of the Money Store and Guardian S&L. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 2023 Part of a string of recent high-profile divorce records, Chemistry represents Clarkson at her most venturesome and liberated. —Vulture, 27 June 2023 Also coming to GroundUp is venturesome singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham, a Grammy nominee who is the subject of a recent profile worth checking out at Relix.com. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2023 Maybe low-budget films, documentaries, and foreign language fare didn’t always take up the slack, but the best of them at least tried to be more venturesome than the usual ossified studio product. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for venturesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venturesome
  1. adventurous
  2. dangerous
  3. daring
  4. hazardous
  5. risky
  6. perilous
  7. serious
Adjective
  • In a remarkable twist, Max disembarks the boat and visits his twin brother on land, who turns out to be a less adventurous version of Max.
    — Claire Franken, TVLine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Meet Amber Sparks' Happy People Don't Live Here (Exclusive) As the book opens, Poppy has just lost her sister Dandelion, a vibrant, adventurous woman who died ahead of her 40th birthday.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.
    — Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • General manager Chris MacFarland’s daring and dramatic midseason overhaul of his roster has remade, reinvented and reinvigorated the Avalanche.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Which is what the U.S. will be celebrating next year, marking our daring break from Great Britain and the founding of the nation.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Ranging from 0 to 500, the AQI is used to measure air pollution levels and to alert the public when pollutant levels may make the air hazardous to health.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Although with the right tools, tough jobs can be a lot easier, faster, and even less hazardous in the case of sharp tools.
    — Maggie Horton, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Most cryptocurrency education is either overly basic or intended to encourage new investors to make risky trades without a clear plan.
    — Kody Boye, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • This shift has become more apparent over the last two years, as some venture capital investors have moved their focus from riskier early-stage startups to later-stage companies that are more established, according to insiders.
    — Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • The original film tells the story of a perilous trip undertaken by Hikari 109, a high-speed, first-generation bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Hakata.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Albi opened in early 2020, a perilous time for any new business to kick off.
    — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • In total, 36 people were hospitalized, and 7 people developed Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney disorder.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • These behaviors can lead to serious side effects, from bloating and nausea all the way up to heart attack and stroke, Pasricha says.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of serious

Browse Nearby Words

ventures
venturesome
venturesomely
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Cite this Entry

“Venturesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venturesome. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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