Recklessly: meaning, definitions and examples

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recklessly

 

[ ˈrɛkləsli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

driving

in a careless or unthinking manner

Synonyms

carelessly, heedlessly, rashly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recklessly

Typically used when someone is behaving dangerously or without considering possible negative consequences. Often implies a high level of risk.

  • He drove recklessly down the highway, nearly causing several accidents
carelessly

Used when someone is not paying enough attention to their actions, often leading to mistakes or accidents. It suggests a lack of thoroughness or attention.

  • She carelessly left the door unlocked, which allowed the thief to enter
heedlessly

Suggests ignoring warnings or advice, showing a lack of attention or regard for rules and consequences.

  • He walked heedlessly into the restricted area despite the warning signs
rashly

Employed when someone acts without thinking things through, often impulsive and leading to regrettable decisions.

  • She rashly decided to quit her job without having another one lined up

Examples of usage

  • She drove recklessly through the busy intersection.
  • He acted recklessly by investing all his money in a risky venture.
Context #2 | Adverb

behavior

without thinking about the consequences of one's actions

Synonyms

foolishly, impulsively, irresponsibly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recklessly

This word is used when someone acts without considering the consequences or dangers, often in a way that risks harm or damage.

  • He drove recklessly through the crowded streets
  • She spent the company's money recklessly
impulsively

This is used for actions taken quickly without careful thought, often driven by sudden emotion or desire. The behavior might be spontaneous but not well-considered.

  • She impulsively bought a dress she didn't really need
  • He impulsively decided to quit his job
foolishly

This word is appropriate when someone does something silly or lacking common sense, often leading to negative consequences. There is a connotation of immaturity or a lack of wisdom.

  • He foolishly forgot to bring an umbrella on a rainy day
  • She foolishly invested all her savings in a risky business
irresponsibly

This is used when someone acts without considering their duties or the effects on others, showing a lack of responsibility. There is often a sense of neglect or disregard for obligations.

  • He irresponsibly missed his work deadlines
  • She behaved irresponsibly by not informing anyone about her plans

Examples of usage

  • He spoke recklessly without considering the impact of his words.
  • The hiker proceeded recklessly along the dangerous cliff.

Translations

Translations of the word "recklessly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imprudentemente

🇮🇳 लापरवाही से

🇩🇪 rücksichtslos

🇮🇩 sembrono

🇺🇦 безрозсудно

🇵🇱 lekkomyślnie

🇯🇵 無謀に (むぼうに)

🇫🇷 imprudemment

🇪🇸 imprudentemente

🇹🇷 düşüncesizce

🇰🇷 무모하게

🇸🇦 بتهور

🇨🇿 bezohledně

🇸🇰 bezohľadne

🇨🇳 鲁莽地

🇸🇮 nepremišljeno

🇮🇸 hugsunarlaust

🇰🇿 ойланбастан

🇬🇪 გაუფრთხილებლობად

🇦🇿 düşüncəsizcə

🇲🇽 imprudentemente

Etymology

The word 'recklessly' is derived from the adjective 'reckless', which comes from the Old English word 'recceleas', meaning 'careless' or 'thoughtless'. The prefix 're-' indicates 'without', while 'cceleas' is related to 'cealian', meaning 'care'. Over time, the meaning of 'reckless' evolved to include actions done without consideration or caution, leading to the adverb 'recklessly'.

See also: recklessness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,349, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.