thoughtless

adjective

thought·​less ˈthȯt-ləs 

1

: lacking concern for others : inconsiderate

rude and thoughtless behavior

a thoughtless remark

2

a

: insufficiently alert : careless

b

: reckless, rash

thoughtless actions

3

: devoid of thought : insensate

thoughtlessly adverb

thoughtlessness noun

Synonyms

• discourteous
• disrespectful
• ill-bred
• ill-mannered
• impertinent
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• rude
• uncalled-for
• uncivil
• ungracious
• unhandsome
• unmannered
• unmannerly

Examples of thoughtless in a Sentence

a selfish and thoughtless person

always making thoughtless comments that hurt other people's feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

These wishes feel to me very thoughtless and insensitive. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Iris, played by Heretic and Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher, is a gorgeous yet enigmatic young woman who looks something like Zooey Deschanel in her New Girl years but without her happy, slightly thoughtless enthusiasm for life. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025

However, a thoughtless gift—one that makes your spouse feel misunderstood, devalued, or invisible—may signal the need for focused attention and TLC in the relationship. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

Such a thoughtless bride will not register the slight anyway. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1544, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

thoughtless

adjective

thought·​less ˈthȯt-ləs 

1

a

: not careful and alert

b

: done without thinking beforehand

thoughtless actions

2

: lacking concern for others : inconsiderate

a thoughtless remark

thoughtlessly adverb

thoughtlessness noun