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.

If this had been the first indication that Platner had a reckless streak, I would have been more inclined to brush it off.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

Hal had taken risks Kate thought were reckless.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

His use of Toni Nadal—whose coaching philosophy consisted of greatness though suffering—may not be a way of shifting blame from Mr. Nadal for a career’s worth of reckless endangerment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

EPA chief Lee Zeldin said the actions put the brake on a "rushed, frantic, reckless sprint" by previous administrations to phase out HFCs.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Which would be the wildest, most reckless, worst idea ever.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

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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