joy riding
Stolen car thrills
Joy riding is taking a vehicle—typically stolen—for a reckless, thrill-seeking drive with no destination in mind.
The term captures the combination of illegal acquisition and carefree abandon: Teenagers went joy riding in a stolen car.
It can also describe any reckless recreational driving, even in one's own vehicle.
The compound works as a noun or verb: They were out joy riding all night.
Emergency response hormone
- speedRate of motion
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
rush · exhilaration · speeding · burnout · donuts · drag racing · street racing · revving
Crime of stealing vehicles
- grand theft autoUnlawful vehicle taking
- carjackingViolent vehicle theft
- joyriderReckless illegal driver
- stolen vehicleUnlawfully taken automobile
unauthorized use · felony · larceny · delinquency · juvenile crime · arrest · prosecution · conviction
Absence of constraint
- open roadUnobstructed route ahead
- carefreeFree from anxiety
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- liberationRelease from constraint
wind in hair · thrill seeking · rebellion · night driving · sneaking out
Acting without considering consequences
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- foolhardinessReckless bravery, unwise daring
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
negligence · bravado · showing off · dangerous driving · swerving · running lights · near misses · crashes
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- speedRate of motion
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
daredevil · rush · exhilaration · speeding · burnout · donuts · drag racing · street racing · revving · acceleration
auto theft
Crime of stealing vehicles
- grand theft autoUnlawful vehicle taking
- carjackingViolent vehicle theft
- joyriderReckless illegal driver
stolen vehicle · unauthorized use · felony · larceny · delinquency · juvenile crime · arrest · prosecution · conviction · penalty
freedom
Absence of constraint
- open roadUnobstructed route ahead
- carefreeFree from anxiety
- spontaneityActing without forethought
wind in hair · liberation · thrill seeking · rebellion · night driving · sneaking out
impulsivity
Acting without considering consequences
- heedlessnessFailure to notice danger
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
- foolhardinessReckless bravery, unwise daring
carelessness · negligence · bravado · showing off · dangerous driving · swerving · running lights · near misses · crashes · property damage
joy ridingcommuting
Regular work-home travel
running errands · business travel · grocery run · school run · trucking
joy, ride, joyful, joyfully, joyfulness, joyous, joyously, joyless, joylessness