thoughtlessness

noun

1
as in carelessness

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2
as in insensitivity

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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 thoughtlessness Not malevolence but thoughtlessness was behind Eichmann’s deeds. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 The thoughtlessness with which this bride coerced you into subsidizing her wedding was stunning. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 May 2026 Its furnishings were anything but describable, having been conceived, manufactured, shipped, and sold in various states of thoughtlessness, greed, and indifference. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026 But the movie not wanting to open that particular can of worms isn’t surprising — this is a film that thrives on bloodshed and thoughtlessness. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 Essentially, they’re used to meeting an expectation where rudeness and thoughtlessness aren’t tolerated—because their older sister made sure of that. — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thoughtlessness
  1. carelessness
  2. insensitivity
  3. recklessness
  4. artlessness
  5. heedlessness
  6. gracelessness
  7. indiscretion
  8. inelegance
Noun
  • Now his carelessness had tainted her memory of this auspicious day.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Is there a difference in honest mistakes and patterns of carelessness?
    — Joe Perkins, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of carelessness
Noun
  • In a variation on her character from Parasite, Cho deftly underplays Yi-je’s insensitivity as another woman projecting a blithe lack of awareness of her privilege.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Sherman is known to savage, with unglamorous insensitivity, the vaunted creative directors of the great houses.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of insensitivity
Noun
  • Jurors convicted Roane, 60, of Marion, Indiana, late Tuesday of Level 6 felony criminal recklessness — a low-level felony — and two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, according to a prosecutor’s office spokeswoman.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • According to the report, the physical evidence from the scene could show that Williams tried to speed up and squeeze past Perez’s car, creating reasonable doubt that the officer acted with criminal recklessness.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of recklessness
Noun
  • But then, with seemingly on-the-fly artlessness, Laxe’s camera picks a few of the dancers out.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
Definition of artlessness
Noun
  • Holden’s moral rigor is refreshing in a cultural moment marked by an unsettling mix of cynicism and heedlessness.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • The heedlessness of the children has touched her mood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Definition of heedlessness
Noun
  • The game settled down a bit after that first rotation, but Wilson played most of his debut with the well-meaning gracelessness of a puppy who has yet to grow into his paws.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Not two years later this tower was to collapse precipitately under its own weight into a pyramid of dust and rubble, only to be rebuilt later, in, unaccountably, all its former gracelessness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of gracelessness
Noun
  • This indiscretion joins a long list of scandals that supporters of Paxton are willing to overlook to back the candidate (and, perhaps more importantly, keep Texas red).
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Szabo doesn’t take kindly to Matt’s indiscretion and brutally carves up his face.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of indiscretion
Noun
  • In the same period, an aesthetic of inelegance and unfinish took hold.
    — Michael Brenson, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Keeping the battery charged avoids this morsel of powertrain inelegance.
    — Derek Powell, Car and Driver, 19 Jan. 2022
Definition of inelegance

Browse Nearby Words

thoughtlessly
thoughtlessness
thought (of)
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Cite this Entry

“Thoughtlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thoughtlessness. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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