1
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment
who had the senselessness to mix these dangerous chemicals together?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupidity
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
babbled some senselessness about being eaten by horses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thickness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
the senselessness of his decision to drive after drinking so much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 senselessness
There is, of course, a strong current of senselessness running through the film.
—
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
In 2018, Brennan’s sister spoke to WMUR about the senselessness of the murder.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
This just illistrates a complete senselessness.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
In 2018, Brennan’s sister spoke to WMUR about the senselessness of the murder.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
This just illistrates a complete senselessness.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for senselessness
Noun
-
The chaotic family life was cited when Cary Stayner pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the tourists’ murders; he was found mentally fit to stand trial.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Call it a runner's high or insanity; the marathon takes just about everything a person can muster up physically and mentally.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And not just because one of the leading contestants torched himself and his political livelihood in a bonfire of hubris and stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
That men like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are entrusted with businesses of tectonic influence can be difficult to understand, but their cults of personality have been able to survive scrutiny, perhaps because the money itself is too imposing a firewall for their own stupidity to penetrate.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Working in batches, add 2 meatballs to skillet; flatten each to 1/4-inch thickness using a wide sturdy spatula.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
By the Second World War, the steel alloys had improved in composition, metal fabrication methods made armor more homogeneous, and the thickness was increased to create much tougher plating.—
David Szondy
May 07,
New Atlas,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
As artists are wont to do, the two descend into … madness?—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
-
This time, of course, Rodgers is the one responsible for the melodrama, albeit a far tamer manifestation of it than the madness Favre generated in his final days in Green Bay.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
But anatomically speaking, this is absolute nonsense.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Travelers say they're done listening to the nonsense they've been fed.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The simplicity of LaceLocker® also remains central to its appeal.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
The fresh flip-flop offerings prove that simplicity need not be sacrificed for stylishness, and that all-day comfiness should most certainly not take a back seat to a head-turning summertime aesthetic.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Commentors, of course, had a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from arguing that Kelce is the Duchess of Delco to criticizing the governor's silliness.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Yet there’s wisdom amid the silliness, as the story gently makes a case for the necessity of grief, mindfulness and mortal awareness, even in a life otherwise unburdened by adult human responsibility.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The slowness of encryption forces them to triage.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Julia's confession Fed up with local law enforcement's slowness and unresponsiveness, Christine and Katas eventually get FBI agent Dawn Martin on the case.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Senselessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/senselessness. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
