daring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈder-iŋ How to pronounce daring (audio)
Definition of daringnext
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks daring acrobats who risk life and limb every day for the entertainment of the crowds at the circus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

daring

2 of 3

noun

as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger the daring that the early explorers of Oceania must have had

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

daring

3 of 3

verb

present participle of dare
1
as in challenging
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat I dare you to repeat that to my face! he dared his friend to race to the end of the block

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in confronting
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage every day the old fisherman dared the elements to make his meager living

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective daring contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of daring are adventurous, daredevil, foolhardy, rash, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When is it sensible to use adventurous instead of daring?

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

adventurous pioneers

In what contexts can daredevil take the place of daring?

Although the words daredevil and daring have much in common, daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When can foolhardy be used instead of daring?

In some situations, the words foolhardy and daring are roughly equivalent. However, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

When is rash a more appropriate choice than daring?

The synonyms rash and daring are sometimes interchangeable, but rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When would reckless be a good substitute for daring?

The words reckless and daring are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace daring?

While the synonyms venturesome and daring are close in meaning, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

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 daring
Adjective
Sony has confirmed the cast of its four Beatles movies directed by Sam Mendes, and the films will release in a truly daring fashion in April 2028. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025 This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Challengers prevailed, in a sense, by having both the polish of the former and the daring of the latter. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 The mixture of tradition and daring also characterizes the spirit of the New York City Ballet. —Ian Malone, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2024
Verb
But the polesitter was in no mood to finish third, immediately regaining the lead with a daring overtake to set the tone for the sprint. —Reuters, 29 Mar. 2025 If anything, becoming a weird little guy, by my definition, is about rejecting the despair that leads down those kinds of regressive paths, and daring to care about something, even — and perhaps especially — if that something might seem kind of dumb or trivial to the outside world. —James Factora, Them., 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for daring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for daring
  1. adventurous
  2. courage
  3. challenging
  4. confronting
  5. bold
  6. bravery
  7. facing
  8. brave
Adjective
  • Nick, the son of shipping tycoon Massimo Marone (Joseph Mascolo), often was depicted as an adventurous and ambitious man who worked as a sea captain.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There’s so much talent in New York, and diners are more curious, more adventurous, and more informed than ever.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of adventurous
Noun
  • There comes a moment for every leader when the clearest sign of strength is found not in agreement, compromise, or accommodation but in the clarity and courage to firmly say no.
    — Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Adding to the timeliness of this welter of Weill is the composer’s reputation for political courage.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of courage
Verb
  • The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which went on an historic two-and-a-half week strike in March after negotiations for a new contract broke down, had filed a petition with the Sixth District Court of Appeal on April 1, challenging the ruling of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.
    — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Today big tech is aggressively challenging long-standing legal protections in copyright law, in intellectual property, fair data practices and data privacy protections.
    — Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of challenging
Verb
  • The world’s multilateral architecture is the best mechanism humanity has for confronting existential transnational threats.
    — Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Any return to play in England would entail Henderson confronting the subject again.
    — Michael Walker, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of confronting
Adjective
  • From bold predictions about who's walking out with championship gold to sit-downs with WWE superstars on the verge of history, this preshow is serving as your all-access pass into the chaos, glory, and drama that makes WrestleMania the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the Fed must be free to move quickly to deploy bold strategies, such as its bond-buying campaign during the 2008 financial crisis and emergency lending measures during the COVID-19 recession of 2020, Conti-Brown said.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of bold
Noun
  • Ancient Rome is cool because of gladiators, Julius Caesar — and yes, the underlying lore of strength, bravery and epic feats of masculinity.
    — Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • In many of Kim Won Suk’s dramas, there’s an inspiring character—one whose acts of kindness, compassion, bravery and loyalty motivates viewers to do the right thing in their own lives.
    — Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of bravery
Verb
  • Her team, down seven and facing its largest deficit of the night, went from smiling and finding easy buckets to straight-faced and struggling to find a rhythm.
    — Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Many of the mobile clinics work in silos and Medi-Cal resources can be restrictive, with clients facing difficulties meeting criteria.
    — Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of facing
Adjective
  • The 19-year-old, who plays for the Kansas City Current, roamed about central midfield Tuesday night with Albert and distinguished herself with her brave defending and positioning, according to Hayes.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In the podcast, one of the things that struck both of us so much was this amazing, brave, vulnerable choice that the real Molly made to allow Nikki into that room to record her.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of brave

Browse Nearby Words

daresays
daring
daringly
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Cite this Entry

“Daring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/daring. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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