reckless
16 synonyms and 6 antonyms for reckless, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Acting without thinking about danger or consequences; carelessly rash.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use reckless
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English recceleas, built from "reck" (to care or heed) plus the suffix "-less" — so literally "without care" or "heedless."
Full origin of reckless →Frequently asked questions
What does “reckless” mean?
The word “reckless” means acting without thinking about danger or consequences; carelessly rash. In plain terms, not caring about the risks or the harm your actions might cause.
How do you pronounce “reckless”?
“Reckless” is pronounced REHK-luhs (/ˈɹɛkləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “reckless” in a sentence?
Here is “reckless” used in a sentence: “Reckless driving is one of the leading causes of accidents.”
What is another word for “reckless”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reckless” include daring, devil-may-care, headstrong, heedless, impetuous and imprudent.
What is the opposite of “reckless”?
The opposite of “reckless” — its antonyms — are reckful, attentive, audient, careful and cautious.
What part of speech is “reckless”?
“Reckless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “reckless” come from?
The word “reckless” comes from Old English. From Old English recceleas, built from "reck" (to care or heed) plus the suffix "-less" — so literally "without care" or "heedless.".
Is “reckless” a common word?
“Reckless” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between reckless and negligent?
Reckless describes acting without thinking about danger or consequences, often with an awareness that the behavior is risky but disregarding it anyway. Negligent describes a failure to take reasonable care, which may happen through carelessness or inattention rather than conscious disregard. In legal contexts, recklessness generally implies a higher degree of blame than simple negligence.
What is the difference between reckless and brave?
Reckless behavior ignores real danger and likely consequences, while brave behavior involves facing danger with awareness and often for a worthwhile reason. A person who runs into a burning building to save someone is brave; a person who does dangerous stunts purely for a dare, with no thought for the risk, is being reckless.
What kinds of nouns commonly follow reckless?
Reckless frequently appears in set phrases such as reckless driving, reckless behavior, reckless spending, and reckless disregard. These collocations typically describe actions taken without proper regard for safety, money, or consequences, and 'reckless driving' in particular is a specific legal charge in many places.