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

It was in just this sort of rash and foolhardy mood that Penelope decided not to go straight back to the nursery.

Read more on Literature

When Newby announced that he was running for a seat on North Carolina’s Supreme Court in the 2004 election, it seemed like a foolhardy choice.

Read more on Salon

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

Related Words

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