foolhardiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolhardiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reckless or rash behavior that shows a lack of judgment or consideration for potential dangers. Example: "His foolhardiness in attempting to climb the mountain without proper gear led to a dangerous situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Out of the bunker Reprints Related items Lexington: Out of the bunkerNov 24th 2005 America and Iraq: Why America must stayNov 24th 2005 Arab world, Iraq and al-Qaeda: Unfamiliar questions in the Arab airNov 24th 2005Someone must have realised the foolhardiness of getting personal about a man who won a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

The Economist

They argue that Messrs Lay and Skilling are guilty only of hubris (in believing that Enron was a business at the forefront of the "new economy") and foolhardiness (in giving their lieutenants so much freedom to run the business).Those claiming that this could be the breakthrough the prosecution needs should recall recent events.

The Economist

Some might even call it foolhardiness.

The Economist

Smoking might represent folly and foolhardiness, but its intangible qualities still encourage millions to smoke.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only imagine this as Seven Muslim Children and we know that the Royal Court would never have had the courage or the foolhardiness to stage it.

Independent

Famous or no, it would take a certain strain of foolhardiness for a girl to pose semi-naked in this age of Twitpics and Facebook updates.

Independent

Should Anna be applauded for her passion, or condemned for her foolhardiness?

The New Yorker

Idris is an iconoclast, and, for Afghanistan, an extraordinary man — brave to the point of foolhardiness.

The New Yorker

Because we have run out of medicine and not replaced it during the day — another sign of our foolhardiness, our nonchalance — even though it is too late, we call our friends up the road, Luke and Emily, the parents of our children's friends, and they arrive by car in what seems like an instant, bottle in hand.

The New Yorker

Her final thoughts, however, pulse with wonder: Even after growing up with my mother and the remains of a hundred half-baked ideas, such people's willingness to ride the wave, their foolhardiness and their bravery, still provokes awe in me.

The New Yorker

He's not alone in his foolhardiness.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foolhardiness" to describe actions that are not just risky but also lack good judgment. It's stronger than simply calling something 'risky'.

Common error

Ensure you're not praising genuine bravery when you mean "foolhardiness". The latter implies a lack of necessary caution or planning, while courage acknowledges the risk but proceeds anyway.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foolhardiness" is that of a noun. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the quality or state of being foolhardy. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a state of reckless behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolhardiness" is a noun denoting reckless behavior or a lack of good judgment, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While it can be confused with courage, "foolhardiness" specifically implies a disregard for risks or a lack of necessary caution. When writing, ensure you're accurately portraying the situation and not simply criticizing bravery. Alternative terms include "recklessness" and "rashness". As demonstrated in the examples found in Ludwig, the term is used to evaluate behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recklessness

Focuses on the disregard for danger and consequences.

rashness

Emphasizes acting impulsively without proper consideration.

imprudence

Stresses the lack of wisdom or good judgment.

foolishness

Indicates a lack of intelligence or good sense.

folly

Highlights the lack of good sense, often with negative consequences.

audacity

Highlights boldness, sometimes in a negative way.

temerity

Suggests excessive confidence or boldness.

overconfidence

Suggests an inflated sense of one's own abilities leading to poor decisions.

indiscretion

Implies a lack of tact or care in behavior.

daredevilry

Focuses on a love of dangerous and risky activities.

FAQs

How to use "foolhardiness" in a sentence?

You can use "foolhardiness" to describe a reckless or rash behavior. For instance, "His "foolhardiness" in attempting the climb without ropes was astonishing."

What can I say instead of "foolhardiness"?

You can use alternatives like "recklessness", "rashness", or "imprudence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "courage" or "foolhardiness"?

"Courage" implies bravery in the face of known risks, while "foolhardiness" suggests a lack of awareness or disregard for risks. The correct word depends on whether the person's actions were justified given the circumstances.

What's the difference between "foolhardiness" and "recklessness"?

"Foolhardiness" often implies a lack of good judgment and foresight, while "recklessness" focuses more on the disregard for potential dangers.