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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venturesome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of venturesome are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, rash, and reckless. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of venturesome?

The meanings of adventurous and venturesome largely overlap; however, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

When can daredevil be used instead of venturesome?

The synonyms daredevil and venturesome are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When is daring a more appropriate choice than venturesome?

While the synonyms daring and venturesome are close in meaning, daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When would foolhardy be a good substitute for venturesome?

The words foolhardy and venturesome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When might rash be a better fit than venturesome?

In some situations, the words rash and venturesome are roughly equivalent. However, rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

In what contexts can reckless take the place of venturesome?

While in some cases nearly identical to venturesome, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of venturesome The venturesome Robert Irwin produced a spectral sculpture for a California mall in 1970, and Takashi Murakami infamously incorporated a Louis Vuitton pop-up in his 2007—08 traveling museum retrospective. Andrew Russeth, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024 Don Murray, the venturesome actor who earned an Oscar nomination for playing a rodeo cowboy smitten by Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop, then spurned Hollywood’s attempts to mold him, has died. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024 For example, until the early 2000s, Countrywide did no subprime lending, leaving the field to the venturesome likes of the Money Store and Guardian S&L. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 2023 Part of a string of recent high-profile divorce records, Chemistry represents Clarkson at her most venturesome and liberated. Vulture, 27 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for venturesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venturesome
Adjective
  • For less adventurous palates, there will be barbecue and funnel cake vendors among about 30.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
  • Her newfound cachet, coupled with her adventurous tastes, brought her to unexpected places.
    Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Furthermore, is a reliance on new safety and driver assistance features potentially dangerous? Ford recall extends to over one million vehicles due to rearview camera issue Why are over a million Ford models included in NHTSA's recent recall notices?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Russian missile attack on Ukraine comes days after Ukraine’s security service launched a series of daring, large-scale drone attacks deep into Russia, striking airfields and hitting 41 Russian military aircrafts.
    Victoria Butenko, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Other parts of the southeastern US could see hazardous weather Friday afternoon and evening.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
  • However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require close monitoring.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Not mentioned in the CIT decision—and likely riskier—is section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
    Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • But scoring just one run as the road team in extras is always risky, and the Red Sox got burned again when Lexington’s Sal Frelick (4 for 5) beat Justin Slaten to the first base bag for an infield single to lead off the bottom of the 10th.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The first season traces Ellie and Joel’s perilous journey, punctuated by attacks by the infected, the depredations of groups of raiders, and betrayals galore by would-be allies.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
  • One brother, guided by moral duty, convinces the other to help the mother and join a perilous investigation to find the child.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nobody else can do what Isak does, but Newcastle lack serious backup at centre-forward.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • There were no serious injuries reported or arrests made among the crowd of about 500 teenagers.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venturesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venturesome. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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