Synonyms for recklessness
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Rashness
2. Extravagance
Definitions
- n. 1
The state or quality of being reckless or heedless, of taking unnecessary risks.
His recklessness repeatedly put him in danger.
Forms
- Plural
- recklessnesses → rashnesses, foolhardinesses, extravagances, profligacies…
Choose the right word
Venturesomeness dallies on the edge of danger and experiments with it; foolhardiness rushes in for want of sense, heedlessness for want of attention, rashness for want of reflection, recklessness from disregard of consequences.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- rashness I was not too pleased with his rashness to take down that guy.
- foolhardiness Courage is the median between cowardice and foolhardiness.
- extravagance His extravagance is out of proportion to his wage.
- profligacy These clubs have never been known for profligacy.
- desperation The plumber looked with some desperation into it.
- carelessness The accident was due to the driver's carelessness.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| recklessness | rising | |
| rashness | steady | |
| foolhardiness | steady | |
| extravagance | steady | |
| profligacy | rising | |
| desperation | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- temerity4, rashness
- 10 letters
- profligacy4
- 11 letters
- desperation4, prodigality
- 12 letters
- extravagance4, carelessness3, precipitance, precipitancy
- 13 letters
- precipitation5, foolhardiness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (temerity4 = 4 syllables).