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audacious

audacious

26 7.6
To take bold risks and do daring things
  • adjective
  • /ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/
translation icon : audaz
  • The demonstrations grew larger and more audacious as the opposition grew.
  • audacious claim
  • more audacious
  • most audacious

And so, so it's such an audacious thing to say.

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Examples

  • Is it not a most audacious plan?

  • The result would be one of the most audacious and brilliant campaigns in history.

  • First, you have to have audacious goals, big dreams.

  • First you have to have audacious goals, big dreams.

  • So I think it's OK to have big audacious goals and have that very clear in your mind.

  • It's... audacious of you to come here, and present yourself married, as if it were your right to be our queen.

  • So at the end of the day, we have a big hairy, audacious idea.

  • I think you all will agree that was a most audacious plan brilliantly executed.

  • Ask big, audacious questions, don't settle for lazy answers.

  • Her audacious decision to launch a start-up in the competitive market surprised everyone.

Synonyms

brave
vsaudacious
906 1.0

Has courage when facing danger, pain or fear

emphasizes taking bold risks and unconventional action beyond courage
wild
vsaudacious
170 4.2

Risky or not likely to work

is more often deliberate risk taking rather than mere unreality
fearless
vsaudacious
117 3.4

Shows courage in dangerous or hard situations

adds an unconventional or provocative aim to the same courage
adventurous
vsaudacious
65 3.6

Willing to try new and sometimes risky things

adds unconventional or provocative action to the same risk taking
edgy
vsaudacious
43 5.8

Bold and unusual in style, likely to surprise people

applies more widely to risk taking beyond artistic provocation
brazen
vsaudacious
37 7.3

Showing no shame or respect for rules

may involve risk but without the overt shameless or disrespectful tone
intrepid
vsaudacious
23 7.9

A person who is not afraid of danger and willing to try risky things

adds the idea of acting unconventionally and taking bold risks
ballsy
vsaudacious
  • Offensive
18 8.2

Very brave and willing to take big risks

is about deliberate risk taking and unconventional behavior not only shock
bodacious
vsaudacious
  • Informal
15 9.0

Bold and impressive in a way that attracts attention

prioritizes bold risk taking and unconventional action over mere style
avant-garde
vsaudacious
7 8.2

Being new and unusual in art, fashion, or music

is the more general risk taking term across many fields
bald-faced
vsaudacious
  • Informal
5 7.4

Clearly not hidden and showing no shame

is about bold risk and unconventional action rather than mere bluntness
brassy
vsaudacious
  • Offensive
5 7.2

Bold and showy in a way people may find rude

is about risky unconventional acts rather than mere showiness
adventuresome
vsaudacious
4 4.9

Willing to try new, risky activities

emphasizes risk plus unconventional conduct more clearly
hardy
vsaudacious
3 4.9

Brave and willing to face danger or hard times

places more emphasis on unconventional action and bold risks
daring
vsaudacious
3 3.4

Willing to take risks to try new things

is more likely to include unconventional or provocative aims
swashbuckling
vsaudacious
  • Literature
3 8.2

Showing bold, daring actions in a showy, adventurous way

is broader, not limited to flamboyant heroic style
dauntless
vsaudacious
2 7.9

A person who is brave and not afraid to face danger

includes a readiness to take bold risks and act unconventionally
barefaced
vsaudacious
1 6.9

Very bold and without shame, for example a lie told openly without hiding it

is about risk taking rather than just shameless openness
nervy
vsaudacious
1 7.5

Showing courage in dangerous or risky situations

is more about taking bold risks and acting unconventionally
venturous
vsaudacious
1 7.4

Willing to take risks and try new things

focuses more on taking bold risks and acting unconventionally
venturesome
vsaudacious
1 7.9

Willing to try new and risky things

is more about risk combined with unconventional action
daredevil
vsaudacious
1 6.1

Bold and willing to take dangerous risks

can involve risk taking without the same reckless thrill seeking
Promethean
vsaudacious
9.1

Very bold and original, often challenging old ideas and limits

is broader, applying to risk taking beyond creative challenge
unfearing
vsaudacious
7.2

Not feeling afraid when facing danger or difficulty

adds deliberate risk taking and unconventional conduct to that lack of fear
adventuristic
vsaudacious
  • Literature
8.0

Taking bold risks in politics or government policy

is general risk taking across situations, not politics only
temerarious
vsaudacious
  • Archaic
9.9

Very bold in a way that ignores danger

is willing to take risks but not necessarily in a reckless way
overvaliant
vsaudacious
9.9

Being too brave in a way that is foolish and dangerous

is about bold risk taking without the foolish excess
brazen-faced
vsaudacious
8.8

Showing no shame and acting very boldly

can express bold risk taking without being openly shameless

Antonyms

210 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

1 3.5

People who are shy and afraid to try new or dangerous things

How Bold

reckless
193 3.6
audacious
26 7.6
daring
1 3.2
bold
257 2.7

Surface Forms

audacious positive
audaciouser comparative
audaciousest superlative

Morphology

audacious = audacity (transparent) = audac + ous

The adjective is predictably formed from the noun 'audacity' using the regular adjectival suffix '-ous', so its meaning relates directly to 'audacity'.

Etymology

The word audacious comes from the Latin verb audēre, meaning 'to dare', and you can see the same root in audacity. So, audacious describes someone who is willing to take bold, risky actions.