Synonyms of daring

daring 1 of 3

adjective

ˈder-iŋ 

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

• adventurous
• brave
• bold
• fearless
• courageous
• audacious
• venturous
• adventuresome
• venturesome
• gutsy
• enterprising
• hardy
• dashing
• reckless
• impulsive
• nerved
• heroic
• emboldened
• gallant
• foolish
• nervy
• valiant
• free-swinging
• foolhardy
• unafraid
• impetuous
• imprudent
• intrepid
• daredevil
• dauntless
• spirited
• stupid
• thoughtless
• rash
• undaunted
• madcap
• incautious
• wild
• heedless
• valorous
• brash
• silly
• hotheaded
• dumb
• overconfident
• plucky
• hasty
• spunky
• mad
• headlong
• absurd
• unnecessary
• overbold
• stalwart
• gritty
• wacky
• swashbuckling
• insane
• idiotic
• unreasonable
• stouthearted
• lunatic
• harebrained
• irrational
• stout
• asinine
• crazy
• lionhearted
• nutty
• witless
• moronic
• precipitate
• scatterbrained
• brainless
• balmy
• greathearted
• gadarene
• half-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timid
• careful
• cautious
• unadventurous
• cowardly
• shy
• coward
• timorous
• prudent
• wary
• craven
• afraid
• pusillanimous
• unenterprising
• milky
• fearful
• frightened
• heedful
• overcautious
• startled
• scared
• terrified
• alarmed
• reasonable
• shocked
• wise
• spooked
• rational
• horrified
• sensible
• sound
• chickenhearted
• unnerved
• cool
• calm
• lily-livered
• sane
• affrighted
• poltroon
• milk-livered
• overcareful
• upset
• fainthearted
• levelheaded
• concerned
• worried
• sage
• terrorized
• dismayed
• appalled

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

• courage
• bravery
• heroism
• gallantry
• courageousness
• prowess
• nerve
• fearlessness
• valor
• intrepidity
• hardihood
• daringness
• virtue
• guts
• stoutness
• heart
• gutsiness
• intrepidness
• dauntlessness
• pecker
• gumption
• bottle
• moxie
• determination
• fortitude
• intestinal fortitude
• greatheartedness
• mettle
• boldness
• grit
• pluck
• perseverance
• audacity
• doughtiness
• spunk
• stamina
• temper
• tenacity
• endurance
• backbone
• resolution
• temerity
• effrontery
• fiber
• pluckiness
• stomach
• gall
• brazenness
• cojones
• cheek

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cowardice
• timidity
• cowardliness
• fearfulness
• spinelessness
• timorousness
• cold feet
• softness
• weakness
• feebleness
• faintheartedness
• dastardliness
• cravenness
• hesitation
• impotence
• poltroonery
• indecision
• ineffectualness
• irresolution
• mousiness
• indecisiveness

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

• challenging
• confronting
• stumping
• defying
• braving
• breasting
• bearding
• brazening
• facing
• outbraving
• outfacing

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

• confronting
• facing
• braving
• defying
• withstanding
• breasting
• encountering
• resisting
• standing up to
• brazening
• challenging
• outbraving
• fighting
• bearding
• affronting
• outfacing
• fronting
• meeting
• approaching
• standing
• facing up (to)
• opposing
• accosting
• repelling
• cornering
• combating
• battling
• contending (with)
• squaring (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dodging
• avoiding
• sidestepping
• shirking
• ducking
• shunning
• eschewing
• funking
• shaking
• escaping
• evading
• eluding

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

Recent Examples of daring

Adjective

But Bridges’ latest — a collaborative album with the British trio Jungle — might be the most daring vehicle yet for his sui generis instrument. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Its budget has been reported as anywhere between €14 million ($16 million) and €18 million ($20 million), which can only be achieved in Europe via a daring and bullish backing by a major player. — John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Noun

Lucky for roughage lovers, McKinnon’s salad daring also made the transcontinental move. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026

Their coach, Rudi Garcia, showed some tactical daring, holding out two of his more prominent players until partway through the second half, injecting some energy into the game when the starters began to flag. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Verb

Most studio horror films don’t take anywhere near the kind of risks that this daring genre flick takes. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026

The crimson custom Versace gown, which was designed by Gianni Versace, has cemented itself in fashion lore with its ruched plunging neckline, daring thigh-high slit, and a backless design held together with criss-cross straps. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026