senseless

adjective

sense·​less ˈsen(t)s-ləs How to pronounce senseless (audio)
: destitute of, deficient in, or contrary to sense: such as
a
: unconscious
knocked senseless
b
: foolish, stupid
it was some senseless practical jokeA. Conan Doyle
c
: meaningless
a senseless murder
senselessly adverb
senselessness noun

Examples of senseless in a Sentence

Don't be such a senseless idiot! she collapsed, senseless, after hitting her head
Recent Examples on the Web His nephew’s death was another result of senseless gun violence in the metro area, Birdell Lewis said. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 Over the past month, Jacksonville has been home to various acts of defiance against DeSantis in the aftermath of the senseless killing of Angela Michelle Carr, Jerrald Gallion, and Anolt Joseph Laguerre Jr. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 This senseless violence will not go unanswered by the scales of justice. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024 This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 The effort and dedicated hours spent to expeditiously investigate this senseless act of violence is extremely commendable. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2024 And what motivated the madness doesn’t make the ache any less when a family is burying a loved one for the most sudden and senseless of reasons. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Today a senseless act of violence has forever altered the live of so many. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2024 This was senseless the first time around and senseless again. Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'senseless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of senseless was circa 1547

Dictionary Entries Near senseless

Cite this Entry

“Senseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senseless. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

senseless

adjective
sense·​less ˈsen(t)-sləs How to pronounce senseless (audio)
1
: unconscious entry 1 sense 2
knocked senseless
2
3
: pointless sense 1, meaningless
a senseless act
senselessly adverb
senselessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on senseless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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