reckless

[rek-lis]

See more synonyms for reckless on Thesaurus.com

adjective

utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless (usually followed by of): to be reckless of danger.
characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness: reckless extravagance.

Origin of reckless

before 900; Middle English rekles, Old English reccelēas careless (cognate with German ruchlos); see reck, -less

Related formsreck·less·ly, adverbreck·less·ness, noun

Can be confusedfeckless reckless

Synonyms

See more synonyms for reckless on Thesaurus.com

1. rash, heedless, incautious, negligent, imprudent.

Antonyms

1. careful.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for recklessness

Contemporary Examples

Much has already been written about the recklessness inherent in any director of the CIA entering into a clandestine relationship.
David Petraeus: A Good General Is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Diane Dimond
November 18, 2012
But if their situation is unstable, that causes the attacks that you see in the streets, the recklessness and radicalization.
More on Palestinian Children
Emily L. Hauser
July 27, 2012
One could almost forget the illegality, the profiteering, the recklessness, and the endless casualties.
Christopher Hitchens: A Young Contrarian Salutes Him
Max McGuinness
December 18, 2011
He has driven it to vulgar lows, which has given the brand a hint of recklessness and danger.
Paris’s Fashion Finale
Robin Givhan
October 6, 2011
But are not selfishness and recklessness the signs by which great love is often recognized?
Mark Sanford Is a Romantic Hero
Ben Crair
June 26, 2009

Historical Examples

But even that gibe hinted at a recklessness that matched her own and gave her comfort now.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
Surely you, of all people, should not excuse their recklessness.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
Your being afloat in Denboro Bay in a canoe was your own recklessness and not my fault.
The Rise of Roscoe Paine
Joseph C. Lincoln
That recklessness it was that caused me to shrug my shoulders with a laugh.
The Suitors of Yvonne
Raphael Sabatini
I made no answer: half in recklessness, half in pride, I was silent.
Sir Jasper Carew
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for recklessness

reckless

adjective

having or showing no regard for danger or consequences; heedless; rasha reckless driver; a reckless attempt

Derived Formsrecklessly, adverbrecklessness, noun

Word Origin

Old English recceleās (see reck, -less); related to Middle Dutch roekeloos, Old High German ruahhalōs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for recklessness

n.

Old English recceleasnes "recklessness, carelessness, negligence;" see reckless + -ness.

reckless

adj.

Old English receleas "careless, thoughtless, heedless," earlier reccileas, from *rece, recce "care, heed," from reccan "to care" (see reck (v.)) + -less. The same affixed form is in German ruchlos, Dutch roekeloos "wicked." Root verb reck (Old English reccan) is passing into obscurity.

reckless

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}reckless

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for recklessness

Contemporary Examples

Much has already been written about the recklessness inherent in any director of the CIA entering into a clandestine relationship.

But if their situation is unstable, that causes the attacks that you see in the streets, the recklessness and radicalization.

One could almost forget the illegality, the profiteering, the recklessness, and the endless casualties.

He has driven it to vulgar lows, which has given the brand a hint of recklessness and danger.

But are not selfishness and recklessness the signs by which great love is often recognized?

Historical Examples

But even that gibe hinted at a recklessness that matched her own and gave her comfort now.

Surely you, of all people, should not excuse their recklessness.

Your being afloat in Denboro Bay in a canoe was your own recklessness and not my fault.

That recklessness it was that caused me to shrug my shoulders with a laugh.

I made no answer: half in recklessness, half in pride, I was silent.

reckless

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for recklessness

n.

reckless

adj.

Origin of reckless