senseless

play

adjective sense·less \ ˈsen(t)s-ləs \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of senseless

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

a :unconscious

knocked senseless

b :foolish, stupid

it was some senseless practical joke
—A. Conan Doyle

c :meaningless

a senseless murder

—

senselessly

adverb

—

senselessness

noun

See senseless defined for English-language learners

See senseless defined for kids

Examples of senseless in a Sentence

Don't be such a senseless idiot!
she collapsed, senseless, after hitting her head

Recent Examples of senseless from the Web

This is another tragic, senseless loss of life at the hands of gang related activity, this time an 8-year-old child.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "NC girl, 8, killed after stray bullet fired in parking lot hits her on living room sofa," 21 Aug. 2017
The senseless questions and exercises were too much.

— raquel rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Blackout victims at Mexico resorts have little hope of justice," 16 Aug. 2017
This senseless act of violence rips a hole in our collective hearts.

— christina caron, New York Times, "Heather Heyer, Charlottesville Victim, Is Recalled as ‘a Strong Woman’," 13 Aug. 2017
A senseless act of violence just ended his streak Never miss a local story.

— marcos bretón, sacbee, "No justice for Sacramento running legend hit by cyclist on the American River Parkway," 25 July 2017
And Barb, who really had no part in this, was another victim of the senseless violence from the Upside Down.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Finally, Justice For Barb...From the Emmys," 13 July 2017
By Bud Shaw, cleveland.com Bud: Watching ESPN’s Sunday night Tribe game reminded me of the Trump/Clinton debates: senseless chatter signifying nothing.

— cleveland.com, "Who has the inside track on the Cavs GM job? -- Bud Shaw's You Said It," 10 July 2017
The festival is partnering with local group Mothers Against Senseless Killings (MASK) and Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country.

— isa giallorenzo, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Style Wear orange to Pitchfork to join in the fight against gun violence," 5 July 2017
Her death became a symbol of the loss of all innocent children who died due to senseless gun violence.

— bea l. hines, miamiherald, "Patience is the stuff we each need just to make it through another day," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'senseless.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of senseless

circa 1547

senseless Synonyms

Synonyms

cold, insensible, unconscious

Antonyms

conscious

Related Words

semiconscious; anesthetized; collapsed

Near Antonyms

alert, awake, aware, up; resuscitated, revived

SENSELESS Defined for English Language Learners

senseless

play

adjective

Definition of senseless for English Language Learners

: done or happening for no reason
—used after beat, knock, etc., to say that someone is hurt badly and becomes unconscious
: stupid or foolish

SENSELESS Defined for Kids

senseless

play

adjective sense·less \ ˈsen-sləs \

Definition of senseless for Students

1 :unconscious 2

I was knocked senseless.

2 :stupid 2

It seemed senseless to run away without money.
—E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

—

senselessly

adverb

Learn More about senseless

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for senseless Spanish Central: Translation of senseless Nglish: Translation of senseless for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up senseless? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

senseless

Definition of senseless

senselessly

senselessness

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of senseless in a Sentence

Recent Examples of senseless from the Web

First Known Use of senseless

senseless Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

SENSELESS Defined for English Language Learners

senseless

Definition of senseless for English Language Learners

SENSELESS Defined for Kids

senseless

Definition of senseless for Students

senselessly

Learn More about senseless

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Graham: Health Care Bill Is 'Federalism'

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066