daredevil

1 of 2

adjective

dare·​dev·​il ˈder-ˌde-vᵊl How to pronounce daredevil (audio)
: recklessly and often ostentatiously daring

daredevil

2 of 2

noun

: a recklessly bold person
daredevilry noun
daredeviltry noun
Choose the Right Synonym for daredevil

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 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
Adjective
Closing off the town plaza, men performed daredevil tricks with bulls provided by local wealthy cattlemen. Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 Among the highlights, attendees can expect a tribute to Evel Knievel featuring three of his iconic daredevil vehicles. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 Without such a metric for caffeine, consuming new beverages takes on a daredevil quality. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2024 Nevertheless, this type of ‘daredevil’ conduct cannot be tolerated. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2023 Former professional driver Susie Wolff wants other women to know there is a place for them in motor racing, particularly Formula 1, the popular and glamorous international racing series historically associated with dashing, daredevil male drivers. Kristen O'Brien, Peoplemag, 27 Oct. 2023 From an evolutionary perspective, the daredevil behavior of a couple of listless individuals may well have had tremendous implications for the survival of our species. Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2023 The daughter of an Indian aviator and daredevil freedom fighter, Ms. Mehta spent years moving between three continents, living in New Delhi, London and New York with her husband, one of the most renowned editors in English-language literature. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023 Invented at the Lucas County Fairgrounds, near Toledo, in 1923, thrill shows were daredevil acts, like Evel Knievel’s. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
Noun
For a unique thrill, daredevils and aerospace enthusiasts can visit the Sheridan County Airport to embark on a scenic flight over the Bighorn mountains — or even take personal flight lessons with Sheridan Pilots 307 Flight School. Molly O’Brien, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 The young aerial daredevil gained a bird’s-eye view on the need for safety. Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024 These daredevils thrive in the world’s most isolated, inhospitable places, such as the rocky ranges of the Andes and the Himalayas. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024 Other daredevils include trapeze artists, trampoline bouncers, aerialists, and even a human cannonball, Skyler Miser, who will launch herself out of a rocket at 65 mph for kicks and giggles. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024 One daredevil arrived in a Kansas City jersey, though he was quickly exposed as a Buffalo local just looking to stir up some drama. Jalen Wright, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2024 And the daredevil cast, instead of reveling in falling apart, focuses for as long as possible on keeping it together. Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023 Their antics were nerve-racking: there was much climbing of rocks, many daredevil jumps. Emma Cline, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023 With the recent crowning of Pepper X as the new Guinness World Record holder for hottest chili pepper, here's a look into just how the spiciness of a pepper is calculated — and some examples of very hot chilis for food daredevils to enjoy. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'daredevil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1727, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daredevil was in 1727

Dictionary Entries Near daredevil

Cite this Entry

“Daredevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daredevil. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

daredevil

noun
dare·​dev·​il
ˈda(ə)r-ˌdev-əl,
ˈde(ə)r-
: a recklessly bold person
daredevil adjective

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