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

Related Words

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
Antiviral treatments like valacyclovir are most effective when started within three days of rash onset. —Angela Haupt, Time, 23 Feb. 2026 And out goes the window Mamdani’s rash promise to freeze rents in stabilized units, otherwise landlords would go bankrupt. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
The threat of severe weather remains active into the weekend across Oklahoma after a rash of tornadoes killed at least two people in storms crossing the region earlier this week. —Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 7 Mar. 2026 Measles symptoms include fever and unexplained rash. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 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
  • The dispensing of moral instruction is an often tiresome staple of child-friendly animation, but the lessons that Mabel must learn—to be less impulsive, less strident, and more willing to see the good in others—also turn out to be shrewd organizational and negotiating tactics.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The impulsive reaction to this data is a trap.
    — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of impulsive
Noun
  • In the middle of the 7th century, a plague swept through the walled city of Jerash, in what is now modern-day Jordan.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The digital plague that has come over us is a serious problem and people are just starting to recognize that.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • 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
  • They were blown out by the Boston Celtics on Sunday before losing by one at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday when Luka Doncic passed up a three and threw the ball to LeBron James, who missed a hurried, last-second three.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of hurried
Noun
  • This backward incentive pushes patients toward the drugs that helped fuel the opioid epidemic in the first place.
    — Saul Anuzis, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
  • At the top of the pyramid stood a chief executive officer who marketed the company’s work as the antidote to the opioid epidemic.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Garry Moore, 66, pleaded guilty in January to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, under sudden heat.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of sudden
Noun
  • Congress is on track to see record turnover this year as lawmakers forgo reelection, and in few places is that spate of retirements felt as deeply as in Illinois.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In their eyes, the administration’s recent spate of changes could make things much worse.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of spate
Adjective
  • Revisiting a hasty property tax reform House Bill 389 emerged in the waning days of the 2021 legislative session, already the longest in Idaho history.
    — Mark Dee March 6, Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Hatch has also faced criticism from some child welfare advocates, who say the Department of Children and Families has been too hasty to remove medically vulnerable children from their parents and to cut off parental rights.
    — Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of hasty
Noun
  • The White House had been relying on the circa $300 billion a year in revenues to help fund a raft of policies, from tariff rebate checks to corporate tax write-offs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The announcement followed a raft of visits by top US officials, most recently the interior secretary, and a series of moves by Washington to normalize its economic relations with Caracas.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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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