madcap 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
Definition of madcapnext
as in reckless
foolishly adventurous or bold a madcap scheme to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

madcap

2 of 2

noun

ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
as in devil
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear an incorrigible madcap who loves drag racing and white-water rafting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of madcap
Adjective
The crumbling institution makes an appropriately strange backdrop for a romp that mixes madcap antics, tangled romantic relationships, and the frank, sometimes enthusiastically gross sexuality that is one of Waller-Bridge’s signatures. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 With its hairpin turns and madcap improvisations, the odyssey at the book’s center can seem, says our reviewer, like something sketched out by Jules Verne. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
The fare isn’t noteworthy or unique, except for the onion soup with its madcap, enormous puff pastry lid. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for madcap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for madcap
  1. reckless
  2. devil
  3. daredevil
  4. cowboy
  5. courageous
  6. madman
  7. adventurous
  8. brave
Adjective
  • In NyKayla’s case, prosecutors could only reach a meaningful sentence by charging the gun’s owner with reckless endangerment after a child was already dead.
    — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Groups of kids, some as young as elementary school age, tear through our streets at reckless speeds with no regard for pedestrians.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Noun
  • In January, Watts was a guest on actor Rainn Wilson’s podcast, where Watts played devil’s advocate to Wilson’s skeptic about casual use of mind-altering substances.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the movie, two mentors stand over each of his shoulders like an aproned angel and devil.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of devil
Adjective
  • News earlier in the month, Johnson and East chatted about life at home with their three little ones, and shared which kid is taking on a daredevil personality.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • In addition to decades of performing his own impossible feats for the sake and sanctity of cinema, Cruise has lately taken to showing off his daredevil talents at sporting events worldwide.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of daredevil
Noun
  • Her father, William Preston Bowling, who plays the elderly cowboy with the oxygen tank, was with her.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But Woody the cowboy doll and Buzz Lightyear the action figure are not among the group assembled here.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cowboy
Adjective
  • However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Those early songs and some of that stuff was so courageous, so good.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of courageous
Noun
  • Either Republicans will retain control of Congress, or enough Democrats (one hopes) will prevail so Congress can reclaim its authority over a madman executive.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many writers travelled to Jonestown to survey the shambles and determine whether this was a utopian experiment gone astray or a madman’s fever dream destined to fail.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
Definition of madman
Adjective
  • The Ideal Trip for Families and Groups These 4x4 safaris are particularly well suited to families with teenagers and groups of friends seeking a more adventurous, immersive way to explore Iceland.
    — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Photograph by Ramona Rosales / AUGUST Musgraves’s subsequent albums have been sprawling in their search for meaning, and even more adventurous in the sonic pathways travelled to get there.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • All 18,000 tickets had been given to anyone willing to brave long lines.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Set the scene Anyone brave enough to travel long-haul with young children will appreciate the speedy 30-minute transfer time—and the excitement of a seaplane—between Malé and Lux* South Ari Atoll.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of brave

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Cite this Entry

“Madcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madcap. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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