senseless

adjective

sense·​less ˈsen(t)s-ləs 

: destitute of, deficient in, or contrary to sense: such as

a

: unconscious

knocked senseless

b

: foolish, stupid

… it was some senseless practical joke …

—Arthur Conan Doyle

c

: meaningless

a senseless murder

senselessly adverb

senselessness noun

Synonyms of senseless

• unconscious

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

This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

This country is grieving too many senseless and violent deaths and shootings. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

The horrific reality of the war seems even more senseless compared to the deep grace and innocence of the child. —Sabrina Impacciatore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The daughter of Gregory Turnipseed, a 71-year-old Baltimore City employee, is speaking about the senseless attack on the job that cost him his life. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for senseless

• defenseless

Kids Definition

senseless

adjective

sense·​less ˈsen(t)-sləs 

1

: unconscious entry 1 sense 2

knocked senseless

2

: foolish, stupid

3

: pointless sense 1, meaningless

a senseless act

senselessly adverb

senselessness noun