1 daredevil | Definition of daredevil

daredevil

adjective
dare·​dev·​il | \ ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl How to pronounce daredevil (audio) \

Definition of daredevil

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: recklessly and often ostentatiously daring

daredevil

noun

Definition of daredevil (Entry 2 of 2)

: a recklessly bold person

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Other Words from daredevil

Noun

daredevilry \ ˈder-​ˌde-​vᵊl-​rē How to pronounce daredevilry (audio) \ noun
daredeviltry \ ˈder-​ˌde-​vᵊl-​trē How to pronounce daredeviltry (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for daredevil

Synonyms: Adjective

audacious, brash, foolhardy, madcap, overbold, overconfident, reckless, temerarious

Synonyms: Noun

devil, madcap, madman

Antonyms: Adjective

careful, cautious, circumspect, guarded, heedful, prudent, safe, wary

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Choose the Right Synonym for daredevil

Adjective

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense. adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence. adventurous pioneers venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings. venturesome stunt pilots daring implies fearlessness in courting danger. daring mountain climbers daredevil stresses ostentation in daring. daredevil motorcyclists rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought. a rash decision reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences. a reckless driver foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense. the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of daredevil in a Sentence

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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Designed to escort bombers in the skies over Europe, Mustangs and their daredevil pilots helped win World War II. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "P-51 Mustangs, the workhorse of World War II fighters, take center stage at EAA AirVenture," 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, "‘Brokeback Mountain’ Review: Star-Crossed Singing Cowboys," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'daredevil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of daredevil

Adjective

1727, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for daredevil

daredevil

noun

English Language Learners Definition of daredevil

: a person who does dangerous things especially in order to get attention

daredevil

noun
dare·​dev·​il | \ ˈder-ˌdev-əl How to pronounce daredevil (audio)
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