reckless

adjective reck·less \ ˈre-kləs \

Updated on: 9 Dec 2017

Definition of reckless

1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences

2 : irresponsible

reckless charges

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recklessly

adverb

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recklessness

noun

See reckless defined for English-language learners

See reckless defined for kids

Examples of reckless in a Sentence

He is a wild and reckless young man.
He showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
He spends money with reckless abandon.

Recent Examples of reckless from the Web

Most often, the Fox News formula involves the stretch of an obscure, local news story into the national conversation, followed by a dousing of reckless speculation engineered to generate paranoia.

— lauren duca, Teen Vogue, "Understanding the Fox News Propaganda Machine," 3 Nov. 2017
To critics, however, Mr. Barzani’s decision was a reckless gamble with the fate of his own people.

— yaroslav trofimov, WSJ, "Iraqi Kurds Offer Concession Amid Referendum Backlash," 25 Oct. 2017
Matthew Michael Johnson, 31, who works at Youngs Grove Elementary in Cedartown, is charged with second-degree cruelty to children and misdemeanor reckless conduct, battery and simple battery, according to a Polk County police report.

— matthew michael johnson, ajc, "School administrator accused of injuring third-grader," 3 Dec. 2017
The senseless, reckless nature of the crime frustrated the victim's family.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee teen sentenced for wildly firing into group, killing young mother," 3 Nov. 2017
Pardew's reckless decision consequently cost him his job and left the south Londoners staring relegation in the face, until the notorious survival fighter Sam Allardyce rocked up at Selhurst Park.

— SI.com, "'He Comes From Serbia...': The Impact of Luka Milivojevic & How He Stepped Into Mile Jedinak's Shoes," 31 Oct. 2017
These producers are propagating false and reckless fabrications for their profit.

— yvonne villarreal, latimes.com, "In the Netflix docu-series 'The Day I Met El Chapo,' Kate del Castillo tells her story," 24 Oct. 2017
These producers are propagating false and reckless fabrications for their profit.

— elaine aradillas, PEOPLE.com, "Kate del Castillo Claims She Had Sex with Sean Penn After Their Trip to Visit El Chapo," 20 Oct. 2017
Carter leveled six counts against Kiffin, FAU and Florida, including reckless fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.

— shandel richardson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fraud suit against FAU coach Lane Kiffin dismissed by Alabama judge," 19 Oct. 2017

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

First Known Use of reckless

before 12th century

reckless Synonyms

Synonyms

daredevil, devil-may-care, foolhardy, harum-scarum, hell-for-leather, irresponsible, kamikaze

Antonyms

responsible

Near Antonyms

careful, cautious, circumspect, heedful; overcareful, overcautious, timid

Synonym Discussion of reckless

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

RECKLESS Defined for English Language Learners

reckless

adjective

Definition of reckless for English Language Learners

: not showing proper concern about the possible bad results of your actions

RECKLESS Defined for Kids

reckless

adjective reck·less \ ˈre-kləs \

Definition of reckless for Students

: showing lack of caution : engaging in wild careless behavior

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recklessly

adverb

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recklessness

noun

Law Dictionary

reckless

adjective reck·less

legal Definition of reckless

: characterized by the creation of a substantial and unjustifiable risk to the lives, safety, or rights of others and by a conscious and sometimes wanton and willful disregard for or indifference to that risk that is a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise in like circumstances — see also involuntary manslaughter at manslaughter, reckless homicide at homicide, recklessness — compare careless

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