audacious

What does “audacious” mean?

adjective.showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

SAT Usage

This word often appears in passages discussing innovation, bravery, or defiance, particularly in contexts involving historical figures or groundbreaking ideas. It emphasizes not just boldness but a sense of daring that challenges conventions, distinguishing it from similar terms like "reckless," which lacks the connotation of purposeful ambition.

Common Confusions

Audacious implies a boldness driven by ambition and purpose, while reckless usually suggests a lack of consideration for consequences or danger.

Example Sentences

• The climber made an audacious attempt on the frozen peak.

• The artist's audacious decision to paint a mural on the side of the historic building sparked both admiration and outrage among the local community.

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