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Thoughtless: meaning, definitions and examples

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thoughtless

 

[ ˈθɔːt.ləs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

inconsiderate behavior

Lacking consideration for others; not thinking about the consequences of one's actions. Acting without care or concern for the feelings or well-being of others.

Synonyms

careless, inconsiderate, irresponsible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
thoughtless

When someone acts without thinking about the effects of their actions on others. This word can have a mild negative connotation.

  • It was thoughtless of him to play his music loudly at midnight
  • She made a thoughtless comment that hurt his feelings
inconsiderate

Describes someone who is not mindful of the needs, feelings, or wishes of others. Usually carries a stronger negative tone.

  • It was inconsiderate of him to cancel the plans at the last minute
  • Leaving the dirty dishes for someone else to clean is inconsiderate
careless

Used to describe someone who fails to give sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors. Often implies a lack of attention to detail.

  • He made a careless mistake on the exam
  • Her careless driving almost caused an accident
irresponsible

Used when someone fails to take proper care or responsibility for their actions. This word has a strong negative connotation.

  • It's irresponsible to leave young children unattended
  • Her irresponsible spending habits got her into debt

Examples of usage

  • He made a thoughtless comment that hurt her feelings.
  • She acted in a thoughtless manner, causing a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Context #2 | Adjective

without careful consideration

Done or said without careful consideration or thought. Impulsive or hasty in decision-making.

Synonyms

impulsive, rash, reckless.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
thoughtless

Use this word when someone acts without considering others' feelings or the consequences of their actions. Often has a negative connotation.

  • His thoughtless comments hurt her deeply
  • Leaving the door unlocked was a thoughtless mistake
impulsive

This word describes someone who acts on their immediate urges or feelings without thinking things through. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context.

  • She made an impulsive decision to buy the dress
  • His impulsive behavior can sometimes get him into trouble
rash

Refers to actions or decisions made hastily without careful consideration of potential dangers or consequences. Typically has a negative connotation.

  • Making such a rash decision could lead to serious problems
  • His rash actions put everyone's safety at risk
reckless

Describes behavior that shows a lack of concern for the danger or the consequences of their actions. Has a strong negative connotation.

  • His reckless driving could cause an accident
  • They called his decision to invest all his money reckless

Examples of usage

  • It was a thoughtless mistake to send that email without double-checking it.
  • He regretted his thoughtless decision to quit his job without a backup plan.

Translations

Translations of the word "thoughtless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irrefletido

🇮🇳 बिना सोचे समझे

🇩🇪 gedankenlos

🇮🇩 ceroboh

🇺🇦 бездумний

🇵🇱 bezmyślny

🇯🇵 思慮のない (shiryō no nai)

🇫🇷 irréfléchi

🇪🇸 irreflexivo

🇹🇷 düşüncesiz

🇰🇷 생각 없는

🇸🇦 طائش

🇨🇿 bezohledný

🇸🇰 bezmyšlienkovitý

🇨🇳 不假思索的 (bù jiǎ sīsuǒ de)

🇸🇮 nepremišljen

🇮🇸 óhugsað

🇰🇿 ойланбайтын

🇬🇪 უგუნური

🇦🇿 düşüncəsiz

🇲🇽 irreflexivo

Etymology

The word 'thoughtless' originated from the combination of 'thought' and the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, the word has evolved to represent actions or behaviors that lack consideration or careful thinking. The negative connotation of 'thoughtless' highlights the importance of mindfulness and empathy in human interactions.

See also: forethought, thoughtful, thoughtfully, thoughtfulness, thoughtlessly, thoughtlessness, thoughts, unthoughtful.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,153, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.