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foolhardiness

foolhardiness

1 8.2
A habit of taking dangerous risks without thinking about the results
  • noun
  • /ˈfuːlˌhɑːrdɪnəs/
translation icon : temeridad
  • Further, maybe his faith in himself as chosen contributed to the odd reckless foolhardiness he exhibited so often.
  • courage rather than foolhardiness

This might help us to distinguish courage from rashness or foolhardiness.

Examples

  • He realized the foolhardiness of war with the Spanish at this time, since the British outpost was weak and since he could not depend on full Creek support.

    Academic text (2008)
  • His foolhardiness led him to jump off the cliff without considering the danger.

  • You must administer it in small doses; otherwise, courage turns into foolhardiness, and the hero is killed before he ever gets properly started.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Would you say in our society, people more often err on the side of foolhardiness or more often err on the side of cowardice?

  • Incautious, brave to the point of foolhardiness, Yeltsin was a true revolutionary.

    Academic text (2011)
  • She continued to scowl at her own foolhardiness, but her frown soon faded to a look of wistfulness.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Don't we Americans want an intelligence agency with the insanity to think of something like this, the foolishness to make the attempt, and the foolhardiness and stubbornness to come so close to pulling it off?

    Blog text (5)
  • The team's foolhardiness in ignoring safety protocols resulted in a serious accident.

  • She quickly realized that their foolhardiness in facing the storm without preparation was a grave mistake.

Synonyms

stupidity
vsfoolhardiness
115 2.5

Not being smart or having good judgment

is narrower, highlighting risk taking and little thought about danger
madness
vsfoolhardiness
112 4.6

A foolish action that shows poor judgment

highlights unnecessary risk taking specifically, not only poor judgment
foolishness
vsfoolhardiness
61 2.7

A lack of good sense or careful thought that causes bad choices

places greater weight on daring risk and disregard for consequences
recklessness
vsfoolhardiness
18 5.2

Acting without caring about danger or what might happen

focuses more on unnecessary daring and little thought about danger
foolery
vsfoolhardiness
2 6.1

Silly, harmless behavior that makes people laugh

is more dangerous and involves real, unnecessary risk rather than silliness
rashness
vsfoolhardiness
1 5.6

Acting or speaking quickly without thinking about the bad results

is more about bold, unnecessary risk rather than mere quick decisions
heedlessness
vsfoolhardiness
1 7.8

Not paying attention to danger or important things

adds a stronger element of seeking risky danger without thinking
fatuity
vsfoolhardiness
  • Formal
1 9.9

A very silly and stupid idea or action

is less about foolishness and more about taking hazardous risks
imprudence
vsfoolhardiness
1 7.7

A failure to be careful or to use good judgment when making choices

focuses more on reckless daring and unnecessary exposure to danger
boneheadedness
vsfoolhardiness
  • Offensive
1 8.2

Being very foolish and not willing to change, causing mistakes

is more about bold risk taking with little care for danger
daredevilry
vsfoolhardiness
8.8

Very bold acts that risk serious harm

is similar but stresses careless risk taking rather than daring for thrill
daredeviltry
vsfoolhardiness
9.1

Bold, dangerous actions done without care for safety

leans more toward careless, unnecessary risk without thoughtful judgment
incautiousness
vsfoolhardiness
8.3

Not being careful about danger or risk

involves more active, unnecessary risk taking rather than simple carelessness
sappiness
vsfoolhardiness
  • Informal
7.6

A foolish way of acting that shows poor judgment

involves harsher, deliberate risky behavior rather than mild naivety
unwiseness
vsfoolhardiness
9.7

A lack of good judgment when making choices

adds an element of active, unnecessary danger taking rather than general unwise acts

Antonyms

158 2.5

Care that helps you avoid danger or mistakes

1 2.1

Paying close attention to avoid mistakes or harm

How Reckless

recklessness
18 5.2
foolhardiness
1 8.2
boldness
9 3.2
daring
3 3.4
carefulness
1 2.1

Surface Forms

foolhardiness singular

Morphology

foolhardiness = foolhardy (transparent) = fool + hardy + ness

Formed by the adjective 'foolhardy' + standard nominalizing suffix '-ness', giving the quality of being foolhardy.

Etymology

Foolhardiness is made from fool and hardy, where hardy once meant 'bold' or 'brave'. So foolhardiness is like being 'foolishly brave' — taking dangerous risks without thinking about the results.