daredevil
1 of 2adjective
dare·dev·il ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl 
: recklessly and often ostentatiously daring
daredevil
2 of 2noun
: a recklessly bold person
daredevilry
ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-rē
noun daredeviltry
ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl-trē
noun 
Synonyms
Adjective
- audacious
- brash
- foolhardy
- madcap
- overbold
- overconfident
- reckless
- temerarious
Noun
- devil
- madcap
- madman
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective his daredevil stunts are sure to end in disaster someday a daredevil driver who thinks that drag racing on city streets is a harmless game Noun He has always been a bit of a daredevil. that little daredevil has broken an arm and an ankle this year alone
Recent Examples on the Web
courant.com, 23 Mar. 2022 Back home, he was known for daredevil stunt-flying. Ron Grossman, chicagotribune.com, 2 Dec. 2021 Now, the Historic Longboard Revival Series draws those with a daredevil spirit from all around. Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2020 Designed to escort bombers in the skies over Europe, Mustangs and their daredevil pilots helped win World War II. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 July 2019 Bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, hiding under a black cowboy hat, brought a rueful heaviness to the laconic Ennis, whose fear keeps the lovers from making a life together, while tenor Glenn Seven Allen emphasized Jack’s contrastingly daredevil spirit. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 4 June 2018 As guests entered the grand ballroom following a reception, a duo of aerialists performed daredevil moves on swaths of fabric suspended from the ceiling. Candace Jordan, chicagotribune.com, 2 May 2018 Such sad cases sometimes appear accidental and sometimes appear to involve risky daredevil behavior -- but almost always involve alcohol. Lawrence Specker, AL.com, 1 Mar. 2018 Her parents were daredevil journalists in Los Angeles, hanging out of helicopters, sometimes with their daughter in tow, to shoot footage of news events like Madonna’s 1985 wedding to Sean Penn. Jill Abramson, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2017 Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Peter Beard was a world famous artist, international playboy, and daredevil. The Editors, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 With triple the loops — a Hot Wheels first — kids can build all different kinds of stunts, from gravity drops to daredevil jumps. Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 This penchant for daredevil dressing has long given Kidman an edge in the high fashion space, too. Leah Dolan, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 While that alone is reason to be excited, two of the timepieces were gifted to the daredevil by his good friend, Paul Newman. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2022 Maverick actor spoke during a panel at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year about how he's been a daredevil from a young age. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2022 Over the weekend, daredevil skaters hurtled down its tall arches, risking potentially lethal falls. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 The photographer interrogates desire, sexuality, gender roles and thrill-seeking in this new exhibit inspired by legendary daredevil Evel Knievel; though Nov. 6. Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
This historical novel tells the unforgettable story of a daredevil female aviator determined to chart her own course in life at any cost. courant.com, 23 Mar. 2022 Back home, he was known for daredevil stunt-flying. Ron Grossman, chicagotribune.com, 2 Dec. 2021 Now, the Historic Longboard Revival Series draws those with a daredevil spirit from all around. Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2020 Designed to escort bombers in the skies over Europe, Mustangs and their daredevil pilots helped win World War II. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 24 July 2019 Bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, hiding under a black cowboy hat, brought a rueful heaviness to the laconic Ennis, whose fear keeps the lovers from making a life together, while tenor Glenn Seven Allen emphasized Jack’s contrastingly daredevil spirit. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 4 June 2018 As guests entered the grand ballroom following a reception, a duo of aerialists performed daredevil moves on swaths of fabric suspended from the ceiling. Candace Jordan, chicagotribune.com, 2 May 2018 Such sad cases sometimes appear accidental and sometimes appear to involve risky daredevil behavior -- but almost always involve alcohol. Lawrence Specker, AL.com, 1 Mar. 2018 Her parents were daredevil journalists in Los Angeles, hanging out of helicopters, sometimes with their daughter in tow, to shoot footage of news events like Madonna’s 1985 wedding to Sean Penn. Jill Abramson, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2017 Noun
This daredevil skeleton couple braves whitewater without any inhibitions. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Peter Beard was a world famous artist, international playboy, and daredevil. The Editors, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 With triple the loops — a Hot Wheels first — kids can build all different kinds of stunts, from gravity drops to daredevil jumps. Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 This penchant for daredevil dressing has long given Kidman an edge in the high fashion space, too. Leah Dolan, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 While that alone is reason to be excited, two of the timepieces were gifted to the daredevil by his good friend, Paul Newman. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2022 Maverick actor spoke during a panel at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year about how he's been a daredevil from a young age. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2022 Over the weekend, daredevil skaters hurtled down its tall arches, risking potentially lethal falls. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 The photographer interrogates desire, sexuality, gender roles and thrill-seeking in this new exhibit inspired by legendary daredevil Evel Knievel; though Nov. 6. Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1727, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1794, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
daredevil
noun
dare·dev·il ˈder-ˌdev-əl
: a person who does dangerous things especially for attention
daredevil 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in reckless
foolishly adventurous or bold his daredevil stunts are sure to end in disaster someday Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reckless
- brave
- adventurous
- courageous
- daring
- foolhardy
- madcap
- heroic
- audacious
- fearless
- overconfident
- temerarious
- brash
- impulsive
- intrepid
- adventuresome
- overbold
- gallant
- heroical
- lionhearted
- venturous
- careless
- valiant
- venturesome
- dauntless
- foolish
- impetuous
- hardy
- undaunted
- hotheaded
- doughty
- gutsy
- stouthearted
- valorous
- manful
- imprudent
- incautious
- scatterbrained
- stalwart
- rash
- bold
- thoughtless
- harebrained
- stout
- heedless
- greathearted
- brainless
- headlong
- hasty
- precipitate
- undauntable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cautious
- careful
- wary
- prudent
- circumspect
- safe
- timid
- fearful
- guarded
- scary
- skittish
- shy
- unadventurous
- heedful
- fainthearted
- levelheaded
- cool
- timorous
- unambitious
- intelligent
- calm
- sensible
- mousy
- dastardly
- cowardly
- mousey
- craven
- alert
- sharp
- unheroic
- pusillanimous
- yellow
- quick-witted
- recreant
- chicken
- spineless
- chickenhearted
- lily-livered
2
as in daring
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions a daredevil driver who thinks that drag racing on city streets is a harmless game Synonyms & Similar Words
- reckless
- daring
- adventurous
- kamikaze
- foolhardy
- nonchalant
- irresponsible
- careless
- bold
- devil-may-care
- harum-scarum
- hell-for-leather
- impetuous
- wild
- venturesome
- hotheaded
- audacious
- madcap
- rash
- carefree
- headlong
- freewheeling
- hasty
- incautious
- precipitate
- unworried
- happy-go-lucky
- inattentive
- feckless
- thoughtless
- heedless
- unconcerned
- unmindful
- regardless
- blithe
- mindless
- slaphappy
- unheeding
- unthinking
- inconsiderate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cautious
- responsible
- circumspect
- timid
- careful
- overcautious
- heedful
- overcareful
daredevil
2 of 2noun
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
- cowboy
- madcap
- devil
- madman
- showboat
- berserk
- berserker
- hotdog
Synonym Chooser
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
The synonyms adventurous and daredevil are sometimes interchangeable, but adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.
adventurous pioneers
In some situations, the words daring and daredevil are roughly equivalent. However, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.
daring mountain climbers
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
Although the words rash and daredevil have much in common, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.
a rash decision
The words reckless and daredevil can be used in similar contexts, but reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.
a reckless driver
While the synonyms venturesome and daredevil are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.
venturesome stunt pilots