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Meaning & use

reckless conduct

noun·Advancedlegallaw

Last updated

UK/ˌrekləs ˈkɒndʌkt/
US/ˌrekləs ˈkɑːndʌkt/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablelegallaw

    Behavior in which someone knowingly takes a serious risk and shows no care for the safety or rights of others.

    Grammar: Uncountable, so it takes no plural and no 'a': say 'guilty of reckless conduct', not 'a reckless conduct'.

    Patterns

    • be guilty of reckless conduct
    • accused of reckless conduct
    • reckless conduct causing harm

    The driver was charged with reckless conduct after racing through a school zone.

    The company was fined for reckless conduct that put workers in danger.

    In civil cases, reckless conduct can lead to higher damages than simple carelessness.

  2. noununcountablelegallaw

    In some laws, a specific offense of acting in a way that creates a real risk of harm to another person.

    Grammar: Used as the name of a crime or charge; often appears with 'charge' or 'offense'.

    Patterns

    • charged with reckless conduct
    • a charge of reckless conduct
    • convicted of reckless conduct

    He pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and was given a suspended sentence.

    Reckless conduct is a misdemeanor in many states but a felony if someone is badly hurt.

Common combinations

grossly reckless conduct
The court described the decision as grossly reckless conduct.
engage in reckless conduct
Anyone who engages in reckless conduct on the field may be ejected.
a pattern of reckless conduct
The report found a pattern of reckless conduct stretching back years.
reckless conduct claim
Her lawyer filed a reckless conduct claim against the security firm.
alleged reckless conduct
The alleged reckless conduct took place during a routine inspection.

Synonyms and how they differ

recklessness
The abstract quality rather than the behavior itself; a charge usually names the conduct, not the quality.
negligence
Negligence means failing to take proper care, often without realizing the risk, while reckless conduct suggests the person knew the risk and ignored it.
misconduct
Misconduct is a broader word for bad or improper behavior at work or in an official role; it does not necessarily involve danger.

Opposites

due carereasonable care

Word family

reckless adjective
Acting without thought for the danger or results.
recklessly adverb
In a way that ignores risk or safety.
recklessness noun
The state or quality of not caring about danger.

Commonly confused: reckless conduct or wreckless? reckless conduct or reckless driving?

reckless conduct vs wreckless

A common misspelling. 'Wreckless' would suggest 'without a wreck', which is the opposite of the intended meaning; the correct word is 'reckless'.

reckless conduct vs reckless driving

A related but separate offense: reckless driving is specifically about how someone drives, while reckless conduct can cover many kinds of behavior.

Practice

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