Thoughtlessly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈθɔt.lɪs.li/

Definitions

1. In a manner that lacks awareness of potential consequences Done without any careful contemplation or concern for others Executed impulsively, revealing a lack of mindful consideration for effects on individuals
2. Performed without paying attention to potential outcomes or the feelings of others
3. Acted on without giving thought to consequences or the impact on people involved

Etymology: "Thoughtlessly" is a plain formation built from older English parts: "thought" (from Old English "þōht," a noun meaning reasoning or the act of thinking), plus the suffix "-less," meaning "without," from Old English "-lēas," and then "-ly," the adverb-forming ending from Old English "-līċe," which described the manner of an action. Put together, the word literally describes acting in a manner without thought. The root of "thought" is itself a noun-from-verb formation that goes back to the Germanic "þankijanąProto" family, linked to the idea of thinking, while "-less" and "-ly" are two of the most productive endings in English, and the same pattern gives us words like "careless," "hopelessly," and "endlessly." What makes this word notable is less its origin than its ordinary transparency: each part has kept the sense it started with, so the meaning is almost exactly what the pieces suggest.

Synonyms: carelessly, recklessly, inconsiderately

Antonyms: thoughtfully, considerately