daredevil 1 of 2

1
2

daredevil

2 of 2

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
Thousands of onlookers cheered wildly as daredevil pilot Bessie Coleman arced her Curtiss Jenny biplane into a spiral above a Houston field. Victor Luckerson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025 His daredevil approach left an indelible mark and influenced a generation of wrestlers who followed. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Noun
Lee was an editor, writer, ringleader and often the initial spark for a new character: What about a blind lawyer who fights crime using his other hypersensitive senses and was kind of a daredevil? Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025 There is no daredevil, no cowboy attitude in any of these sequences. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for daredevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daredevil
Adjective
  • Alleged stabber Larry Boards is facing two counts of felony assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment for the crazed confrontation at the 82nd St.-Jackson Heights No. 7 train station at about 4:15 p.m. Friday, cops said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
  • Broadly, the search warrant describes the crimes as first-degree intentional homicide and reckless endangering of safety by use of a deadly weapon.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Not long before the end, the daring writer-director introduces an idea that should have been established from the jump: As a child, Seti struggled with a speech impediment.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • This also pushed Kubi to be more daring as a designer and explore new techniques.
    Ezreen Benissan, Essence, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Examples include Roan’s retro Grammy Awards performance atop a giant pink pony and surrounded by clown cowboys, and arriving on stage at the 2024 Governors Ball by bursting out of a smoking bong apple and emerging in full body paint as the Statue of Liberty.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
  • But when a cowboy who looks suspiciously like Justin Theroux with facial prosthetics starts moving toward them, Charlie and Alex make a run for it.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just in time for Mercury retrograde to begin on July 18, the messenger planet will backspin through your second house of self-worth and value systems, encouraging you to speak up and be more courageous and authentic about your heart’s desires.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 July 2025
  • Be courageous and walk up to people who seem interesting.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Memorable, inventive, and fully deserving of its place on the list, this one’s for the adventurous.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • There have been conflicts between rideshare drivers and taxis in the past, so consider sticking with a reputable taxi or car service, However, the more adventurous can rent a car to explore nearby cenotes, ruins, and regional highlights.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • There may devils in these details Jenkins is a former Detroit City Council president and nonprofit CEO.
    M.L. Elrick, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
  • In retrospect, both fans and Grenier himself have asserted that Nate may be the actual villain of The Devil Wears Prada, and not the titular devil herself.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • These brave men and women conducting rescue operations have saved many people but sadly, there have also been at least 50 fatalities reported, including 15 children as of Saturday night.
    Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • Those helming businesses are required to make a crucial call about staying the course amid uncertainty or forging a brave, new path.
    Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • All do so, apart from the titular madman, who has a mysterious reason to stay behind.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • But to equate that with the actions of an evil madman betrays a shocking and sad ignorance of history.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daredevil. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on daredevil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!