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mindlessness

Mindlessness is doing things without thinking them through in a careful way. Your mindlessness might lead you to say something insulting about a classmate, not realizing she's standing behind you.

You can use this noun to describe an empty-headed lack of meaning: "The mindlessness of that show made me feel ten percent more stupid when it was over." But it's also useful for a more dangerous kind of rash, thoughtless action: "Her experience as a soldier exposed the mindlessness of most wars." These days, many people aspire to mindfulness, a state of close, active attention. You can think of mindlessness as the exact opposite.

Definitions of mindlessness
  1. noun
    total lack of meaning or ideas
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    type of:
    meaninglessness
    the quality of having no value or significance
  2. noun
    the trait of acting rashly and without prudence
    synonyms: heedlessness, rashness
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    types:
    lightheadedness
    a frivolous lack of prudence
    type of:
    imprudence
    a lack of caution in practical affairs
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘mindlessness'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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