1
as in nonchalant
having a relaxed, casual manner
a devil-may-care golfer who knows that it's only a game
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of devil-may-care
With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude.
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Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Sure, but this is another bit of evidence on the pile of moments of Kate making judgment calls that can be seen as using the tools at her disposal or as devil-may-care failures to heed guidance from others.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
These colognes carry an edgy, devil-may-care attitude, and despite their playful connotations, the fragrance world takes liquor accords seriously.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Mitchell’s Hedwig is equal parts glamour and grunge, toeing the line between devil-may-care individuality and crippling self-doubt.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
The two actors play off each other well enough, contrasting Damon’s caustic deadpan with Affleck’s devil-may-care flippancy.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Sure, but this is another bit of evidence on the pile of moments of Kate making judgment calls that can be seen as using the tools at her disposal or as devil-may-care failures to heed guidance from others.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The movie, based on Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive novel, starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter and followed an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker who form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Our editors turned to the many muses of the decade — from Winona Ryder’s devil-may-care leather looks to Naomi Campbell’s downtown-meets-uptown girl aura — to create these ’90s fall outfit ideas that feature Coach’s best purses of the season.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 8 Oct. 2024
Winners Shalt Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain
Emmy winners were only slightly devil-may-care with their language during their acceptance speeches this year, but the ABC censors had their hands right over that button the entire show.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2024
These colognes carry an edgy, devil-may-care attitude, and despite their playful connotations, the fragrance world takes liquor accords seriously.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024
Mitchell’s Hedwig is equal parts glamour and grunge, toeing the line between devil-may-care individuality and crippling self-doubt.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024
The two actors play off each other well enough, contrasting Damon’s caustic deadpan with Affleck’s devil-may-care flippancy.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil-may-care
Adjective
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The team of scientists was reportedly nonchalant, too.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
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The juxtaposition of her nonchalant demeanor and the chaos around her has struck a chord with viewers.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The following November, Brooks was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and 61 counts of reckless endangerment.Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
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What To Know Ian Cramer pleaded guilty in September to multiple charges, including homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment, fleeing an officer and various drug- and driving-related offenses.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Planning this way helps keep my careful and carefree spending in balance. 2.Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
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And what's more fun than pretty butterfly clips and carefree slip dresses?Rosana Lai, Glamour, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Institutions that accept video interviews or introductions tend to emphasize that the submission should be a casual and organic reflection on a student’s candidacy, background, and interest in the school.Christopher Rim, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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That a casual conversation with two museum directors determined the direction of a multiyear programming cycle for virtually every institution that serves a population of approximately twenty-four million people should give us pause.Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In 1910, a quarter of a million people had spent 10 days swooning over the Los Angeles International Aviation Meet — the nation’s first daredevil airshow.Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
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Planes were first introduced into combat service during World War I, and the pioneering pilots who manned them became masters of the air, deploying daredevil maneuvers to outwit the enemy.Kinsey Gidick, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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If Thompson were the CEO of a toy company, would the public have been so cavalier about the loss of life?Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Pundits and analysts can afford to be cavalier about it; U.S. policymakers with actual responsibility on their shoulders can't.Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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This ensures that day-to-day administration and critical state functions remain unaffected.David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
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Phoenix police said in an 11:15 p.m. post on X, formerly Twitter, that Sky Harbor operations later resumed and flights were unaffected by the shooting investigation.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Prince William was in the audience at the time, and it was said to be a key moment in the couple falling in love, though the TikTok creator chose the less daring of Kate's outfits, a black dress.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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And between the cancel-culture backlash and the U.S. reaction to the Israel-Hamas war, Weiss fed a starving market with unconventional, sometimes daring, content.Sara Fischer, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near devil-may-care
Cite this Entry
“Devil-may-care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil-may-care. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
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