playing with fire

ADJECTIVE

imprudent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

careless foolhardy foolish ill-advised ill-considered irresponsible reckless thoughtless unwise

WEAK

brash heedless ill-judged impolitic improvident incautious inconsiderate indiscreet inexpedient injudicious leaving self wide open off the deep end overhasty rash temerarious unadvisable unthinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attentive careful cautious kind mindful prudent responsible sensible thoughtful wise

WEAK

discreet

ADJECTIVE

incautious

Synonyms

WEAK

any old way bold brash careless caught napping devil-may-care fast-and-loose foot-in-mouth hasty heedless hotheaded ill-advised ill-judged impetuous improvident imprudent impulsive inconsiderate indiscreet injudicious madcap neglectful negligent off guard pay no mind precipitate rash reckless regardless sticking one's neck out thoughtless unalert unguarded unmindful unthinking unvigilant unwatchful wary wide open

Antonyms

WEAK

careful cautious discreet thoughtful

ADJECTIVE

perilous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate dicey hazardous precarious risky rugged shaky threatening ticklish touchy treacherous uncertain unstable

WEAK

Russian roulette chancy dynamite exposed hairy insecure loaded on thin ice touch and go unhealthy unsafe unsound unsteady unsure vulnerable wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm certain definite easy firm nice safe secure stable steady strong sure

WEAK

ADJECTIVE

reckless

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 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

ADJECTIVE

risky

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate dicey hazardous perilous precarious sensitive speculative treacherous tricky uncertain unhealthy unsafe unsound

WEAK

chancy endangered fraught with danger going for broke hairy hanging by a thread iffy insecure jeopardous long shot not a prayer off the deep end on slippery ground on thin ice on-the-spot out on a limb rocky ticklish touch-and-go touchy venturesome wicked wide-open

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain definite harmless healthy honest insensitive protected safe secure stable strong sure well

WEAK

assured

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.

It’s playing with fire, and the common people will not be unscathed.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

The president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google shares her foolproof B.S. detector and why big tech can be like playing with fire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

"Simply put, it is not just a bad policy, but a dangerous one, and the city is literally playing with fire by allowing this to happen."

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

“Do the executives understand how much trust and credibility we’ve lost with our audience? We’re playing with fire, for real,” Carlson texted colleagues.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2024

Astragalomancy and all the different lettered dice seemed fun, but she wasn't interested in pyromancy and playing with fire messages.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

playing with fire

Example Sentences

Related Words