fearless
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See brave.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of fearless
First recorded in 1350–1400, fearless is from the Middle English word fereles. See fear, -less
Explanation
Do you remain confident, bold, and brave, even on a terrifying roller coaster or when singing in front of a huge audience? You can go ahead and describe yourself as fearless. The adjective fearless is a good one to use when you're talking about someone who seems to have a complete lack of fear. A fearless stunt pilot does loops and rolls that appear impossible from the ground, and a fearless animal trainer doesn't flinch from a roaring lion. Others are fearless in the face of less physical dangers: "She is fearless on the Senate floor, bravely facing down her political opponents."
Vocabulary lists containing fearless
Words to Describe a Hero or Heroine
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Put on a Bold Face: Synonyms for "Brave"
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Unit 2, Week 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But they also issued an ultimatum: “If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is—committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling—we’re here for it. If not, we leave.”
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
The foundation of Narges Mohammadi, the jailed Iranian Nobel peace prize winner, praised Satrapi as "a fearless voice for feminism, human rights, and freedom".
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
Hay Festival chief executive Julie Finch praised Thompson's "intelligence, absolute wit, humour and fearless" storytelling.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Tennis great Andre Agassi, one of his sport’s more insightful players and an eight-time Grand Slam champion, was asked during a 2005 press conference about the fearless style of up-and-comer Rafael Nadal.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
They were absolutely fearless and ran freely over our bags and even across our heads.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
