devil-may-care

adjective

ˌde-vᵊl-(ˌ)mā-ˈker How to pronounce devil-may-care (audio)
Definition of devil-may-carenext
1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions the devil-may-care speed with which he drives his sports car is going to cause a lot of grief someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in carefree
having or showing freedom from worries or troubles the devil-may-care attitude that some people have about needlessly contributing to global warming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 devil-may-care Oliver is modern romance-novel perfect – handsome with devil-may-care hair. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Stokes is set for the role of Ronnie Whitlock, who leads with an outlaw smile and a devil-may-care attitude, a fire burning within him. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2026 And then there's a top-of-his-game Chevy Chase as a devil-may-care golfer and Bill Murray as a raffish groundskeeper. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026 The show has always affected a devil-may-care attitude, but in previous seasons, less-wearying — not to say light or uplifting — moments came up as a result of the chemistry between the young ensemble. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devil-may-care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
  1. nonchalant
  2. reckless
  3. carefree
  4. casual
  5. daredevil
  6. insouciant
  7. unaffected
  8. daring
Adjective
  • Textures contributed in telegraphing the nonchalant approach to dressing that defines the brand.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Whether or not Hal was right to entice Zoe (upon whose shoulders the carnage ultimately falls), his decision to circumvent the Guardians’ chain of command is what ultimately leads to countless deaths and his imprisonment for reckless endangerment.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • They would be purchased with such reckless abandon that your biggest fear would be a three-day rally that took stocks up 40%.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • The song celebrates the beauty of one’s native land and the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Their bouncy attitudes inevitably mold the vast open country in their own carefree image.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • Wear them with your favorite vintage tee and sneakers or a polo tee and loafers for a casual ensemble, or slip on a sleek blouse and kitten heels for a night out with friends.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In the United States today, according to the report, nearly one in 10 streams is of music in Spanish, and in the first quarter, casual listenership of music in Spanish reached 54%, higher than it’s ever been.
    — Leila Cobo, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Gortner also starred with Lynda Carter in Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976), appeared in the daredevil biopic Viva Knievel!
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Prince Harry went skydiving near Toronto on Friday, but the daredevil move wasn't just for fun.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adjective
  • Midi lengths refuse to commit to long or short camps, settling in the middle for a moment that's polished and truly insouciant.
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • There is nothing insouciant about me.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of insouciant
Adjective
  • Researchers have long wondered why some people develop these reactions while others seem to skate by unaffected.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Today, Putin follows essentially the same model, seeking to erode allies’ confidence in NATO’s Article 5 by relying on tactics that fall below the threshold of a conventional warfare and leave unaffected members hesitant to respond.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • After two daring and provocative ready-to-wear shows, Jean Paul Gaultier creative director Duran Lantink took things down a notch this season.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The shoes feature a pointed-toe with a low-cut V-front and a cutout at the center of the vamp, adding another flirty detail to go with the daring pop of red on the sole that is the designer’s signature touch.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring

Browse Nearby Words

devilishness
devil-may-care
devilment
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Cite this Entry

“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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