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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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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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
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
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
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
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
-
Ray fluctuates more, is nonchalant about a few things, which drives me nuts.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
-
At the meeting, Hanes seemed oddly nonchalant, exuding the air of an overconfident salesman.—
David Yaffe-Bellany,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the Republican Party under Trump: shrugging off the well-being of Veterans while pushing reckless cuts.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
He was arrested on charges of disobeying the signal of an officer, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, passing on the right, interfering with an officer and first-degree reckless endangerment.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The film centers on Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), who heads to a party hotspot in the Mediterranean with her two best friends, ready for a carefree holiday filled with drinking and clubbing before adulthood takes hold (à la Spring Breakers).—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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This carefree track finds the cousins trading jokes and flexes over Jersey club drums and a warped Bon Iver sample.—
Stephen Kearse,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Network executives might complain, and casual viewers may go to bed, but these are not the factors that determine the Oscars’ success — in the here and now, or in the long term.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Even far more casual runners, cyclists, and gym-goers—anyone who’s active—can underfuel too, McConville says.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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The Bengal mix feline loves participating in whatever his daredevil owner, Ivan Kuznetsov, does.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But after this rush of cavalier soldiering and bitter sarcasm comes a sobering moment.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
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According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Key Vatican functions, such as preparations for the 2025 Holy Year celebrations, remain unaffected.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
For instance, if a breach occurs in your main network, segmentation helps ensure that VoIP services remain unaffected.—
Ruchir Brahmbhatt,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
From her daring stage outfits to her elegant red carpet ensembles, there's no look that's gone untouched by the experimental trendsetter.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
In stereotypical movies, the gallant hero saves the damsel through daring, dramatic action.—
Amanda Nguyen,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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