【Adventurous】 , 【Venturesome】 , 【Daring】 , 【Daredevil】 , 【Rash】 , 【Reckless】 and 【Foolhardy】 denote in common courting danger or exposing oneself to danger in a greater degree than is required for courage.
One who is 【adventurous】 is inclined to adventure; the word may or may not imply indiscretion or imprudence in incurring risk or hazard.
- a mind active, ambitious, and 【adventurous】 . . . always aspiring
—Johnson - 【adventurous】 boys . . . climbed, shouting and laughing, over the rafters
— Anderson
【Venturesome】 frequently implies an excessive tendency to take chances.
- in 1919 Alcock and Brown undertook the first and highly 【venturesome】 crossing of the Atlantic by air
—Manchester Guardian
【Daring】 heightens the implication of fearlessness.
a 【daring】 pilot in extremity, pleased with the danger, when the waves went high
—Dryden
【Daredevil】 implies ostentation in 【daring】 and is often specifically applied to stunts performed for hire as a public spectacle or to their performers.
【Rash】 implies imprudent hastiness or boldness in word or action; 【reckless】 , utter heedlessness or carelessness of consequences.
- we must detain him . . . . If we do not I am convinced Austin will do something 【rash】 that he will for ever repent
—Meredith - a 【reckless】 disregard of the future
- 【reckless】 audacity came to be considered courage
—Derek Patmore
【Foolhardy】 implies a foolish 【daring】 or recklessness and may be used of persons or of their acts.
- the perfectly 【foolhardy】 feat of swimming the flood
—Sinclair Lewis
