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heedlessly

heedlessly

2 6.5
Without care for possible harm or danger
  • adverb
  • /ˈhidləsli/
translation icon : sin cuidado
  • Actual penguins of every size heedlessly horseplay in the icy moat.
  • rushed heedlessly
  • run heedlessly
  • so heedlessly

Examples

  • A sudden thought made him sit upright in the tub, water sloshing heedlessly against the cast-iron sides.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Lost in his private tragedy, Jack lurches heedlessly forward.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • When I drink, I speak heedlessly.

  • As she grew, she took a larger share of the bed and blanket, heedlessly.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Obviously, they had been doing damage as they tramped heedlessly across this planet!

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The effluents we pour heedlessly into its waters are a threat to its delicate ecological balance.

  • Americans encouraged to settle in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico spent years heedlessly plowing up an area the size of Ohio.

    Blog text (3)
  • "Garth!" Wren shouted, and rushed forward heedlessly.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Or don't I want to hear?" We swerve on the sidewalk to avoid the spray from a taxi passing heedlessly close to the curb and sending a geyser our way.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • She crossed the busy street heedlessly, not noticing the oncoming traffic.

Synonyms

recklessly
vsheedlessly
30 4.6

In a way that shows no care about danger or the results

focuses on general lack of care rather than active disregard for danger
foolishly
vsheedlessly
28 2.8

In a way that shows poor judgment

stresses general lack of attention to consequences rather than mere silliness
carelessly
vsheedlessly
20 1.0

In a way that you do something without thinking or paying attention

is more about failing to consider possible consequences rather than mere inattention
irresponsibly
vsheedlessly
12 4.2

Showing no care for the bad results of what you do

focuses on absent attention to possible consequences rather than moral blame
rashly
vsheedlessly
7 5.6

Act quickly without thinking about the bad results

stresses lack of care in general rather than mere haste
unwisely
vsheedlessly
5 4.1

In a way that shows poor judgment

is about lack of care and attention rather than simply bad judgment
negligently
vsheedlessly
4 6.6

In a careless way without proper care or attention

highlights lack of attention to possible consequences rather than duty neglect
unadvisedly
vsheedlessly
2 8.4

To do something without thinking carefully first

emphasizes absence of careful thought rather than simple inattention
imprudently
vsheedlessly
1 7.7

In a way that shows no care for possible bad results

is broader, focusing on general lack of care for consequences
incautiously
vsheedlessly
1 7.0

In a careless way that ignores danger

focuses on general neglect of care and consideration rather than only caution
foolhardily
vsheedlessly
1 8.3

Acting in a very risky way without thinking about the dangers

is about lacking care rather than daring or bold risk taking
unmindfully
vsheedlessly
7.3

In a careless way without thinking

stresses missing care for consequences rather than only simple inattention
headily
vsheedlessly
8.9

In a quick, thoughtless way without thinking carefully

focuses on carelessness rather than a stubborn impulsive temperament
unwarily
vsheedlessly
7.4

In a way that is not careful about danger

stresses not paying attention to consequences rather than only danger awareness
blunderingly
vsheedlessly
7.7

In a clumsy, careless way that often causes mistakes

focuses on lack of careful attention rather than clumsy incompetence

Antonyms

70 2.3

To do something in a careful way to avoid danger or mistakes

43 3.7

In a careful way that shows you pay attention before deciding

How Attentive

vigilantly
3 6.2
heedfully
1 7.4
attentively
9 3.0
heedlessly
2 6.5

Surface Forms

heedlessly positive

Morphology

heedlessly = heedless (transparent) = heed + less + ly

Formed by the adjective 'heedless' (heed + -less) with the adverbial suffix -ly; the meaning 'in a careless manner' follows directly from the components.

Etymology

The word heedlessly starts with heed, meaning 'care' or 'attention', and ends with -less, meaning 'without'. Think of heed as like keeping something in your head, because if it is not there you act without attention. So to act heedlessly is to act 'without care or attention'.