foolhardy

[fool-hahr-dee]

adjective

foolhardier, foolhardiest 

1. recklessly or thoughtlessly bold; foolishly rash or venturesome.

   Synonyms: incautious, heedless, headlong, impetuous

foolhardy

/ ˈfuːlˌhɑːdɪ /

adjective

1. heedlessly rash or adventurous

Other Word Forms

• foolhardily adverb
• foolhardiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foolhardy¹

1175–1225; Middle English folhardy < Old French fol hardi. See fool ¹, hardy ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of foolhardy¹

C13: from Old French fol hardi , from fol foolish + hardi bold

Example Sentences

At the Mill Basin Deli on the southeast edge of Brooklyn, it was taken for granted that giving any quarter to Mamdani would be foolhardy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Zola,” with its story of a dangerous, foolhardy false friend, confirms that Black women aren’t angry, scary, intimidating or crazy to stand up to white women who don’t have their best interests at heart.

Read more on Salon

Or foolhardy when this is a moment when she ought to be mustering as much authority as she can?

Read more on BBC

Some concluded it was foolhardy to even consider rebuilding in such a fire-prone place.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At noon, before government had heard back from Lord Mandelson, the prime minister gave a staunch public defence of him in a move that now looks foolhardy.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adventurous 
• audacious 
• bold 
• daring 
• imprudent 
• irresponsible 
• reckless