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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 Rebecca Horn, a venturesome artist whose work explored states of transformation and viewed the body as a portal to other dimensions, died on Saturday at 80. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2024 Don Murray, the venturesome actor who earned an Oscar nomination for playing a rodeo cowboy smitten by Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop, then spurned Hollywood’s attempts to mold him, has died. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for venturesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venturesome
Adjective
  • Want to add in something adventurous to your itinerary?
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2025
  • For the less adventurous, glass-bottom boats also offer a view of the undersea installation.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.
    Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, 15 Sep. 2025
  • During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.
    Talbott Roche, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Kahlil Joseph film premiered at Sundance earlier this year and was one of the most daring and experimental films at the festival.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The daring elements continued with a sexy back detail that featured more jewels in between her shoulder blades before extending down into a long strap that connected to the bottom of the dress.
    Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Repetitive, low-skill and high-risk tasks such as patrolling remote sites or working in hazardous environments will be left in capable digital hands, reducing exposure risks and improving operational continuity.
    Freddy Kuo, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Hornet’s downward slash is the primary means of parrying and lining up another attack or traversing over stretches of hazardous pits.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of following that plan, Artamonov put investor money into risky short-term options, losing millions of dollars, often within days of receiving the money from investors, the indictment said.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The party already enjoys largely favorable maps in Maryland and Illinois, making redistricting in either state politically risky for its members and a tougher lift.
    The Hill, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Serving warrants requires officers to arrest a person suspected of committing a serious crime or secure crucial evidence, both situations that up the chances that a dangerous suspect might be lying in wait.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
  • This lightwear pair at Amazon is on sale for $12—a serious deal considering they’re polarized to ensure UV protection, feature a coating that helps protect against water on rainy days, and have a one-piece nosepad that fits snugly on your face without digging in like some of the metal varieties.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venturesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venturesome. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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