Mindlessly: meaning, definitions and examples

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mindlessly

 

[ ˈmaɪndləsli ]

Adverb / Adjective
Context #1 | Adverb

used to describe an action done without thinking or consideration

Done without thinking or consideration, often as a result of habit or lack of attention. The action is typically automatic and lacks conscious thought.

Synonyms

automatically, mechanically, thoughtlessly, unconsciously.

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Word Description / Examples
mindlessly

Used when describing actions done without thinking or considering the consequences. Often implies a lack of engagement or awareness.

  • He was flicking through the TV channels mindlessly
  • She mindlessly scrolled through her social media feed
automatically

Used for actions performed by habit or as part of a routine, often without active thought. Suggests a programmed response or action.

  • She automatically locked the door when she left the house
  • He automatically said 'thank you' without really meaning it
unconsciously

Refers to actions performed without conscious awareness or intention. Can imply a deeper psychological aspect, where the person is not fully aware of their actions.

  • She bit her nails unconsciously while she was deep in thought
  • He unconsciously touched his scar when he was nervous
thoughtlessly

Describes actions done without consideration for others or the consequences. Often has a negative connotation, implying carelessness or irresponsibility.

  • He spoke thoughtlessly, without considering how his words might hurt her
  • She threw away the report thoughtlessly, not realizing it was important
mechanically

Implies a lack of emotion or creativity in performing the action, often done in a repetitive or rote manner. Usually refers to physical actions but can also describe speech or thought.

  • He answered the questions mechanically, without any enthusiasm
  • The workers were assembling the parts mechanically all day

Examples of usage

  • She mindlessly scrolled through her social media feed for hours.
  • He mindlessly ate the entire bag of chips without realizing it.
Context #2 | Adjective

describing someone who acts without thinking or consideration

Describing someone who acts without thinking or consideration, often characterized by a lack of awareness or consciousness in their actions.

Synonyms

heedless, impulsive, thoughtless, unthinking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mindlessly

Used when describing an action done without much thought or awareness. Often refers to repetitive or routine activities done automatically.

  • He scrolled through his phone mindlessly, not paying attention to anything
  • The workers completed their tasks mindlessly, barely noticing the tediousness of it
thoughtless

Refers to actions or remarks made without consideration for others. Usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of care or empathy.

  • His thoughtless comment hurt her feelings
  • It was thoughtless of him to schedule the meeting on her birthday
unthinking

Used when referring to automatic or habitual actions done without conscious thought. Often used to describe behaviors that are reflexive rather than deliberate.

  • She gave an unthinking nod during the lecture, not really paying attention
  • The team followed the instructions in an unthinking manner, without questioning them
impulsive

Describes someone who acts quickly without thinking about the consequences. Typically used when attributing spontaneous or rash behavior to someone's personality.

  • She made an impulsive purchase that she later regretted
  • His impulsive nature often got him into trouble
heedless

Often used to describe someone who ignores warnings or advice, acting without paying attention to potential consequences. It carries a more formal tone.

  • He drove heedlessly through the fog, ignoring the risk of an accident
  • She made a heedless decision, not considering the advice of her friends

Examples of usage

  • He made a mindless comment without realizing how hurtful it was.
  • The mindless driver caused an accident due to their lack of attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "mindlessly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sem pensar

🇮🇳 बेसुधी से

🇩🇪 gedankenlos

🇮🇩 tanpa berpikir

🇺🇦 бездумно

🇵🇱 bezmyślnie

🇯🇵 無意識に (muishiki ni)

🇫🇷 sans réfléchir

🇪🇸 sin pensar

🇹🇷 düşünmeden

🇰🇷 무심코 (musimko)

🇸🇦 بلا تفكير

🇨🇿 bezmyšlenkovitě

🇸🇰 bezmyšlienkovite

🇨🇳 无意识地 (wú yìshí de)

🇸🇮 brez razmišljanja

🇮🇸 hugsunarlaust

🇰🇿 ойланбай

🇬🇪 უგონოდ

🇦🇿 düşünmədən

🇲🇽 sin pensar

Etymology

The word 'mindlessly' is derived from the combination of 'mind' and the suffix '-less', meaning without. It first appeared in the English language in the late 19th century. The concept of acting 'mindlessly' has been observed in human behavior for centuries, reflecting the tendency to engage in automatic or unconscious actions without deliberate thought or consideration.

See also: absentmindedness, mind, mindful, mindfully, mindfulness, mindset, remind, unmindful.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,224 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.