rash 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of rashnext
as in impulsive
acting or done with excessive or careless speed that was too rash a move, for now I've lost my bishop and probably the whole chess game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rash

2 of 2

noun

as in plague

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rash are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When is adventurous a more appropriate choice than rash?

The words adventurous and rash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

Where would daredevil be a reasonable alternative to rash?

The synonyms daredevil and rash are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for rash?

The words daring and rash can be used in similar contexts, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When can foolhardy be used instead of rash?

While the synonyms foolhardy and rash are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

In what contexts can reckless take the place of rash?

The meanings of reckless and rash largely overlap; however, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace rash?

In some situations, the words venturesome and rash are roughly equivalent. However, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

How does the adjective rash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rash are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When is adventurous a more appropriate choice than rash?

The words adventurous and rash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

Where would daredevil be a reasonable alternative to rash?

The synonyms daredevil and rash are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for rash?

The words daring and rash can be used in similar contexts, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When can foolhardy be used instead of rash?

While the synonyms foolhardy and rash are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

In what contexts can reckless take the place of rash?

The meanings of reckless and rash largely overlap; however, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace rash?

In some situations, the words venturesome and rash are roughly equivalent. However, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

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 rash
Adjective
Both had a fever, a cough, a rash, pink eye, and cold symptoms. —Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026 Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash and red, watery eyes. —Andrew Jones, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
That means the rash is activated by sunlight; giant hogweed in particular prevents your skin from protecting itself from the sun’s UV rays. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026 The Johnnies’ hyper-physical frontcourt, meanwhile, poses a challenge for Boozer, a 6-9 freshman, whom Duke is leaning on more than ever amid a rash of injuries. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rash
  1. impulsive
  2. plague
  3. hurried
  4. epidemic
  5. sudden
  6. spate
  7. hasty
  8. raft
Adjective
  • Players admit emotions can get the best of them, leading to impulsive challenges that cost their team later in the game.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • His impulsive decision-making and lack of a strategy for exiting the Iran war are also ingredients for hardship and disaster.
    — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of impulsive
Noun
  • The team treats patients against a backdrop of all-too-common American societal plagues, from substance use disorder to medical bankruptcies and mass shootings.
    — Jeffrey Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Anthrax in early Egypt may have been one of the plagues described in the Bible.
    — Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • Then in the final seconds of the period, Merrimack turned the puck over in their own zone but Jack Galanek could not stuff his hurried shot home.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Pre-existing structures, supported by documentation and commercial logic, carry far more weight than hurried adjustments made after funds are already exposed.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of hurried
Noun
  • But the new research about their link comes at a time when the medical community is facing a historically devastating overdose epidemic — one that’s killed more than 450,000 Americans in the past five years.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Jayne Conroy, a lawyer on plaintiffs' trial team, was also an attorney for plaintiffs seeking to hold pharmaceutical companies responsible for the opioid epidemic.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Skarsgård’s character James ejaculating at the beach after a sudden handjob by Mia Goth’s freewheeling Gabi.
    — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of sudden
Noun
  • Memory stocks — Shares of the companies that were Wall Street’s favorite play to start 2026 rebounded Friday after a spate of losses.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of spate
Adjective
  • The discombobulation of college athletics contributed to their hasty exits.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
  • That got a little harder when USC canceled a debate set for Tuesday night and hasty plans for a replacement debate fell apart.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of hasty
Noun
  • On this week’s episode, co-hosts Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio jump onto a raft of new topics.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Still, Idaho immigration hardliners have doubled down in the 2026 legislative session, introducing a raft of bills in 2026 that aim to do everything from collecting the immigration status of patients in hospitals to requiring every employer to verify the status of their employees.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of raft

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Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rash. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rash

Nglish: Translation of rash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rash

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