unthinking

adjective

un·​think·​ing ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ 

1

: not taking thought : heedless, unmindful

the unthinking onlookers

2

: not indicating thought or reflection

an unthinking decision

3

: not having the power of thought

unthinkingly

ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

Examples of unthinking in a Sentence

His unthinking agreement made me uneasy.

Recent Examples on the Web

To stay in that state of unthinking presence was like walking a tightrope only to suddenly look down, panic, and come plunging back to Earth. — Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026

There’s the interest in Britney Spears and pop icons who had been assumed to be vacant, unthinking ingénues. — Brandon Tensley, CNN, 23 Dec. 2022

But Russians are also considered by their leaders as an unthinking mass that must blindly follow their leader. — Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2022

Along the way, Daisy and Hoke each will confront, acknowledge and, in a way, overcome their own often-unthinking prejudice. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unthinking

• freethinking
• rethinking
• unblinking
• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking

Kids Definition

unthinking

adjective

un·​think·​ing ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ 

ˈən-

1

: not thinking : inattentive, thoughtless

unthinking people who litter the streets

2

: not having the power of thought

unthinkingly adverb