1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner
a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions
the devil-may-care speed with which he drives his sports car is going to cause a lot of grief someday
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in carefree
having or showing freedom from worries or troubles
the devil-may-care attitude that some people have about needlessly contributing to global warming
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Recent Examples of devil-may-care
Its goofy, devil-may-care logic and rapid-fire comedy rarely translated to feature-length run times.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The surreal beauty of Jekyll Island, Georgia, proves an enchanting backdrop for fantastic silhouettes, playful textures, and a devil-may-care romantic flair.
—Tyler Mitchell, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
Eve Plumb struck a devil-may-care pose in New York City.
—John Russell, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the years, however, her devil-may-care approach has mutated into an inability to accept any criticism, real or imagined, and view it as unfounded hate or maliciousness against the chaos of her life.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Sure, but this is another bit of evidence on the pile of moments of Kate making judgment calls that can be seen as using the tools at her disposal or as devil-may-care failures to heed guidance from others.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The surreal beauty of Jekyll Island, Georgia, proves an enchanting backdrop for fantastic silhouettes, playful textures, and a devil-may-care romantic flair.
—Tyler Mitchell, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
Eve Plumb struck a devil-may-care pose in New York City.
—John Russell, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the years, however, her devil-may-care approach has mutated into an inability to accept any criticism, real or imagined, and view it as unfounded hate or maliciousness against the chaos of her life.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Sure, but this is another bit of evidence on the pile of moments of Kate making judgment calls that can be seen as using the tools at her disposal or as devil-may-care failures to heed guidance from others.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
The nonchalant nature of the talking stage can also shield individuals from rejection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Among the many characters in the mural are: a gray cat perched in a tree; a white-and-black dog digging excitedly in the grass; a nonchalant orange cat lounging without a care; a dachshund mid-chase after a ball; and a black cat leaping into the air, back arched in dramatic flair.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Now, as his reckless tariffs rattle markets and the stock market tumbles, the real cost of his policies is coming into view.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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This reckless governance has fueled a housing affordability crisis.—
Chris Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Basked in spring sunlight on Saturday, Goodison had the carefree air of a place that knows Everton’s safety has been secured.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Kate Hudson and Mini-Me Daughter Rani, 6, Enjoy Their First 'Mother Daughter Spa Day' Together in Adorable Photo Her older brother, Cleaning Lady actor Oliver Hudson, couldn’t help but comment on her carefree post.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pair it with sandals and sneakers for a casual outing, or zhuzh it up with wedges or flats for a more formal occasion.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
As dating moves from casual texts to deeper emotional investment, people begin to ask themselves important internal questions, often without realizing it.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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That would be daredevil buddies Max and Benj Cave (brothers whose middle names are both Storror), Callum and Sacha Powell (also brothers), Drew Taylor, Toby Segar and Josh Burnett-Blake, who started out simply horsing around, filming pranks and sharing them online.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Colossal’s cavalier plans to use captive elephants as surrogates for mammoth calves illustrate an old problem in modern wildlife conservation: indifference towards individual animal suffering.—
Nitin Sekar,
ArsTechnica,
5 Apr. 2025
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Among some Republicans, there is also an element of trepidation about the political impact of Musk’s cavalier approach.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There's also the chance that costs rise for items unaffected by tariffs.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
5 Apr. 2025
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Waiting and seeing Some businesses are still in wait-and-see mode, pushing ahead with hiring plans because many of their customers appear unaffected by the charges.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Wooster Group at 50: Elizabeth LeCompte and Kate Valk reflect on decades of making daring theater together.—
Alan Light,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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