thrill-seeking
Chasing dangerous highs
Thrill-seeking describes the pursuit of excitement through risky or intense experiences.
A thrill-seeking person gravitates toward activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, or extreme sports—anything that produces an adrenaline rush.
The term often carries a mildly disapproving edge, suggesting recklessness: His thrill-seeking finally caught up with him.
Recreational freefall from aircraft
- bungee jumpingElastic-tethered freefall recreation
- paraglidingFoot-launched canopy flight
- cliff divingJumping from heights into water
- wingsuit flyingAirborne sport using webbed jumpsuit
white-water rafting · zip-lining · rock climbing · free soloing · hang gliding · kiteboarding · motocross · storm chasing
Emergency response hormone
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
- rushQuick sudden movement
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
risk-taking · impulsivity · novelty · fearlessness · courage · compulsion · obsession · addiction
Possibility of harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- fatalityDeath from accident
recklessness · consequences · near-miss · close call · accident · safety · precaution · equipment failure
One pursuing exciting exploits
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- adrenaline junkieOne seeking extreme thrills
- extreme sportsHigh-risk recreational activities
- bucket listPre-death wish inventory
expedition · travel · exploration · GoPro · sponsorship · stunt performer · Evel Knievel · Red Bull
skydiving
Recreational freefall from aircraft
- bungee jumpingElastic-tethered freefall recreation
- paraglidingFoot-launched canopy flight
- cliff divingJumping from heights into water
wingsuit flying · white-water rafting · zip-lining · rock climbing · free soloing · hang gliding · kiteboarding · motocross · storm chasing · cage diving
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
- rushQuick sudden movement
excitement · risk-taking · impulsivity · novelty · fearlessness · courage · compulsion · obsession · addiction · arousal
risk
Possibility of harm
fatality · recklessness · consequences · near-miss · close call · accident · safety · precaution · equipment failure · miscalculation
adventurer
One pursuing exciting exploits
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- adrenaline junkieOne seeking extreme thrills
- extreme sportsHigh-risk recreational activities
bucket list · expedition · travel · exploration · GoPro · sponsorship · stunt performer · Evel Knievel · Red Bull · X Games
- Adventure-seekingadventure, exploration, risk-taking, wanderlust, excitement
- risky behaviorreckless driving, drunk driving, speeding, drug abuse, binge drinking
- extreme behaviorsobsession, compulsion, mania, fanaticism, extremism
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
thrill-seekingrisk-averse
Preferring safety over uncertainty
cautious · safety-conscious · careful · prudent · conservative
thrill-seekingplacid
Calm, undisturbed
low-key · unstimulated · sedentary · mellow · laid-back
thrill-seekingunadventurous
Avoiding risk or novelty
creature of habit · stick-in-the-mud · set in one's ways · unadventuresome · staid