thoughtlessly

adverb

1
as in recklessly

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2
as in insensitively

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thoughtlessly The floor was covered with water, and the guard was thoughtlessly dropping files into it. — Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026 There is a deep care and respect in every choice made, and no change is made lightly, no cut is made thoughtlessly. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026 Set Rules For Micro-Interventions Of course, even a strategy like this, with ample scientific support, can backfire if it’s implemented thoughtlessly. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thoughtlessly
  1. recklessly
  2. insensitively
  3. impulsively
  4. unkindly
  5. impetuously
  6. callously
  7. hurriedly
  8. cruelly
Adverb
  • On paper, the Republican senator from Missouri’s idea of punishing labs or users who have indeed acted recklessly or negligently while developing or deploying AI systems is a good one.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Individuals who recklessly violate the rules could face as much as 20 years in prison.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of recklessly
Adverb
  • Residents were treated carelessly, disrespectfully, insensitively.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • In this volatile environment, comments that appear to minimize or frame the shooting insensitively—like Matt Gutman's—can quickly become career-ending.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of insensitively
Adverb
  • Rather than ignore anomalies or react impulsively, strategic leaders leverage their instinct to dig deeper, stress-test assumptions and uncover what’s hidden beneath corporate polish.
    — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In mid-1994, though, Diana found her moment and impulsively pulled the dress from her closet.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of impulsively
Adverb
  • Yet, since the post went up, some people have unkindly critiqued her cheeks, nose, chin and complexion, while others wonder what the fuss is all about.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Tabloids and magazines regularly reported on the state of the relationship, often unkindly.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of unkindly
Adverb
  • Moreover, Elliott does not act impetuously in its activism.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025
Definition of impetuously
Adverb
  • The biggest fear for people who want to see books preserved through the training process is that AI firms will callously pulp rare books that can never be replaced.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Conventional wisdom callously had it that audiences might never return, especially after the pandemic in 2020 was followed in short order in 2023 by two prolonged industrywide strikes.
    — Adam Aron, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of callously
Adverb
  • Her husband hurriedly shut the door and begged her to see a doctor for a tranquilizer prescription.
    — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Antonelli hurriedly informed his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, who had been regularly reminding the Italian to adhere to track limits throughout the race and to look after his car.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurriedly
Adverb
  • And, if Barisone was psychotically deluded, how was the jury meant to understand the defense’s central framing, which was that Kanarek had cruelly tried to harm Barisone?
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Hansen can be cruelly mocking towards his oft-flustered but extremely professional producer Andie Bender (an astonishingly good Merritt Wever).
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruelly

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Cite this Entry

“Thoughtlessly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thoughtlessly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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