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reckless

reckless

193 3.6
Acting without care about danger or the results
  • adjective
  • /ˈrɛkləs/
translation icon : imprudente
  • Her reckless behavior during the hike led to a dangerous fall.
  • reckless driving
  • reckless behavior
  • reckless decision

But both Trump and Biden are reckless with printing money, right?

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Examples

  • Reckless and irresponsible policy from a reckless and irresponsible party.

  • Dale says you're a reckless driver.

  • And we all know that the price of being reckless has cost me a camera.

  • It's, it's reckless across the board from start to finish.

  • Pretty reckless if you ask me.

  • I have heard that since his father died, he has become more reckless in his actions.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • For three weeks, all the talk's been how reckless I am.

  • And be so reckless with your life and your well-being.

  • We were young and careless and reckless and it happens.

  • Now, taking risks doesn't mean being reckless or putting yourself in harm's way.

Synonyms

irresponsible
vsreckless
203 3.2

Not thinking about what will happen after you act

is failing to consider danger and consequences rather than only duty
impulsive
vsreckless
78 4.4

Acting suddenly without careful thought because of a strong feeling

is lack of concern for danger rather than merely sudden action
negligent
vsreckless
58 5.3

Not taking proper care and causing harm or risk

is omission of duty and care rather than wilful disregard of danger
foolhardy
vsreckless
16 7.4

Taking dangerous risks without thinking about what will happen

is general disregard for danger rather than daring bold action
impetuous
vsreckless
14 8.0

To act quickly without thinking about the results

is driven by not caring about consequences rather than sudden feeling
careless
vsreckless
14 1.0

A lack of attention that causes mistakes or harm

is about not caring for danger specifically rather than general inattention
heedless
vsreckless
6 7.3

Not paying attention to danger or rules

is not just inattentive but specifically not caring about results
devil-may-care
vsreckless
  • Informal
4 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

is active lack of concern rather than playful carelessness
rash
vsreckless
3 4.3

Acting without careful thought and likely to cause problems

focuses on lack of concern for results rather than only quick action
heady
vsreckless
1 7.9

Not caring about danger or bad results

is simple lack of care without the defiant boldness
incautious
vsreckless
1 6.7

Not careful about possible danger or harm

is lack of concern about consequences rather than simple mistake
temerarious
vsreckless
  • Archaic
9.9

Very bold in a way that ignores danger

is broader and not necessarily presumptuous simply not caring about outcomes
harum-scarum
vsreckless
  • Archaic
9.9

In a wild and careless way

is general lack of concern but not only wild behaviour

Antonyms

1.0

Watching what you do to avoid mistakes or harm

210 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

Compounds

12 3.2

Driving a vehicle without caring about people's safety or property

How Reckless

foolhardy
16 7.4
reckless
193 3.6
rash
3 4.3
thoughtless
37 4.0
careless
14 1.0

Surface Forms

reckless positive
recklesser comparative
recklessest superlative

Morphology

reckless = reck (semi-transparent) = reck + less

The suffix '-less' clearly indicates 'without', but the root 'reck' ('to care') is archaic/rare, so learners may not recognize the root even though the overall meaning follows the pattern.

Etymology

Reckless comes from the old verb reck, which meant 'to care', plus the ending -less meaning 'without'. So reckless literally means 'without care', which explains why it describes someone not caring about danger or the results of their actions.