reckless

[rek-lis] / ˈrɛk lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

irresponsible in thought, deed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

audacious brash carefree careless daring foolhardy hasty ill-advised imprudent negligent thoughtless

WEAK

adventuresome adventurous any which way breakneck daredevil desperate devil-may-care fast and loose feckless harebrained headlong heedless helter-skelter hopeless hotheaded inattentive incautious inconsiderate indiscreet kooky madcap mindless overventuresome playing with fire precipitate rash regardless temerarious uncareful venturesome venturous wild

Antonyms

STRONGEST

afraid attentive careful cautious discreet fearful kind meek mindful prudent reserved shy thoughtful timid wise

WEAK

responsible wary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Adversaries thought that Turner’s ventures could be reckless and impulsive.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

“The thing that I love about the place that I’m in / There’s no reckless men who don’t know what they want,” she sings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Surely, I thought, there must be something to the Atlantic’s piece that made it less reckless than it sounded.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

On Lover Girl, she practically scolds herself for being so reckless.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

I know it’s reckless and unplanned and I’m choosing California because having Jamie there feels safer than being alone, but I don’t care.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Vocabulary lists containing reckless

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

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Anti-Antonyms: Words Without Opposites

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