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

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
Health officials said anyone who may have been exposed should look out for symptoms including a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Officials are advising that anyone concerned about exposure should monitor themselves for measles symptoms, which can include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026 Typical symptoms are a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, and skin rash. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 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
  • Before talking yourself out of it, ask whether the risk feels meaningful rather than merely impulsive.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Full moons are emotionally charged, so try not to make any impulsive decisions, at least not right now.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of impulsive
Noun
  • In the war-and-plague story of Volume II, the wartime siege of Constantinople exacerbates the extreme heat and causes the ruin of the city as well as the eventual spread of the epidemic from the battlefields to the wider world.
    — Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • So, this system, in pursuit of making money, could do a large takeover through methods like remote drone strikes, and a potential plague.
    — David Pogue, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • Dooley emphasized the preliminary nature of the ruling and the hurried nature of the litigation preceding it in a short, 12-page decision.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Chandler Simpson put down a squeeze bunt and Mateo beat third baseman Kevin McGonigle’s hurried flip to the plate.
    — Dave Hogg, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurried
Noun
  • Preventing a permanent epidemic The surge in cases has led to an influx of foreign aid to support new HIV testing, prevention and treatment programs.
    — David Cox, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Paul Melanson, a POST member and chief of police in Farmington, said an epidemic years ago of thieves stealing cars and catalytic converters from suburban driveways fueled demands that police quickly embrace surveillance technology.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • In many such cases, Pennington says, parents will want to give each child an equal inheritance to be fair, but also worry about how the struggling child will fare upon receiving a sudden inheritance.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The account provided directly to Fox News offered a more harrowing description of the sudden descent, with the passenger saying people screamed as overhead compartments opened and power aboard the aircraft went out.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of sudden
Noun
  • Today, the challenges facing the continent include a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, a spate of kidnappings and killings in Nigeria, and conflict between rebels and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
    — Goodluck Ajeh, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The ministry had earlier scrambled two Romanian F-16s and two Spanish F-18s to monitor its airspace in two separate locations after a spate of drones were detected in Ukraine near the border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of spate
Adjective
  • Over the next few months, Caroline, who wanted to get into the house quickly, and Raymond made hasty decisions to speed up the move-in process.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Over time, these hasty constructions gave way to sites that still define New York, like the vast Reflecting Absence memorial at the World Trade Center site, a garden in northern Manhattan, and a memorial on the shores of Staten Island.
    — Robert W. Snyder, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of hasty
Noun
  • His first low-budget indie got a raft of positive reviews out of its premiere at Austin’s Fantastic Fest and effectively put the director back on Hollywood’s radar as a for-hire filmmaker.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Or maybe Pitt simply wanted to get his Jack London on, traipsing throughout gorgeous natural terrain and ruffling his co-star’s fur in between fending off feral wolves and navigating impromptu whitewater rafting trips sans the raft.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of raft

Browse Nearby Words

rascals
rash
rashes
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Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rash. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rash

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rash

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