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
  • Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 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
  • Van Lemaster, 88, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment on Friday.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In 2016, Zelich pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Gamez and one count of hiding a corpse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Its soft layers and gentle waves add natural body and movement that create a carefree look with plenty of texture.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The song celebrates the beauty of one’s native land and the innocence and carefree spirit of childhood.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefree
Adjective
  • The casual setup and price points at Tiger’s Den swing the sushi pendulum away from ultra luxury and back toward its origins in Japan as a quick, working-class meal.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The trick is to break up the jacket-and-skirt combo and pair each with more casual pieces that take the edge off its classic finish.
    — Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 17 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
  • At the center of it all is the daring, epic raid on a bank vault deep beneath the streets of Zurich.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But what begins as a bold and daring attempt to broach progressive issues in a notoriously conservative society ultimately loses its nerve, acquiescing to a number of eyebrow-raising narrative compromises.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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