unthinkingly
/ʌnˈθɪŋkɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · [ənθˈɪŋkɪŋli] /ʌnˈθɪŋkɪŋli/ (ame, ipa) · [ənθˈɪŋkɪŋli] /ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce unthinking (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unthinkingly — adverb
1. doing or saying something immediately, without stopping to consider whether it i
doing or saying something immediately, without stopping to consider whether it is right, kind, or sensible, often with negative results for yourself or others
Hui unthinkingly agreed to help with the move, then realized she had no free time.
unthinkingly + agreed to [action with negative consequence]
Baraka unthinkingly repeated the rumor to his colleagues before anyone had checked the facts.
The toddler unthinkingly grabbed the hot pan on the stove and began to cry.
Without looking at the price tag, Anna unthinkingly bought the expensive handbag.
It was an unthinkingly cruel comment that left Yael feeling hurt for days.
- thoughtlessly
very similar in meaning, but 'thoughtlessly' often implies a lack of concern for others, whereas 'unthinkingly' focuses more on the absence of deliberation
- automatically
suggests a mechanical or habitual reaction, without implying the negative consequences that 'unthinkingly' usually carries
- impulsively
stresses the suddenness of the action and the lack of self-control, while 'unthinkingly' emphasizes the absence of conscious thought
- heedlessly
stronger and more formal, carrying a sense of wilfully ignoring warnings or risks
- deliberately
doing something after careful thought and intention
- thoughtfully
acting with consideration for the feelings and needs of others
文法句型
unthinkingly + verb
unthinkingly + adjective
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of speech (remark, comment, say) and reactive physical actions (grab, reach, agree). Often carries a tone of mild criticism about the action.
常見錯誤
unthinkingly — adjective
- unthinkinglypositive
- more unthinkinglycomparative
- most unthinkinglysuperlative
1. describes a person or action that pays too little attention to what really matte
describes a person or action that pays too little attention to what really matters, often causing upset or harm to others because the person did not pause to think
Quan made an unthinking remark about the budget and offended the finance director.
unthinking + remark (speech act with negative social result)
The unthinking driver sped through the school zone without noticing the flashing signs.
Sumin's unthinking decision to share the private email caused embarrassment across the team.
An unthinking attitude toward safety led to several minor accidents in the factory.
- thoughtless
more common for describing a person's general lack of consideration; 'unthinking' focuses on the specific absence of thought in the moment
- heedless
stronger and more formal, suggesting that someone ignores clear warnings or dangers
- inconsiderate
focuses on the effect on other people's feelings, while 'unthinking' is broader and includes non-social consequences
- thoughtful
showing careful consideration for others' needs or feelings
- mindful
paying deliberate attention to what one is doing or saying
文法句型
unthinking + noun
be + unthinking
用法筆記
Typically describes a specific action, remark, or decision rather than a permanent personality trait. For a stable character description, 'thoughtless' or 'inconsiderate' is more natural.
常見錯誤
2. describes a look, gaze, or expression that shows no mental activity behind it, a
describes a look, gaze, or expression that shows no mental activity behind it, as if the person's mind is empty or elsewhere
Yael stared at the wall with an unthinking expression, too tired to form one thought.
unthinking + expression (physical look indicating mental emptiness)
During the long lecture, Christopher's face took on an unthinking, distant look.
The soldier's eyes were unthinking and hollow after weeks of sleepless duty.
Hari's unthinking gaze made the teacher wonder if he had understood the lesson at all.
- blank
more common and neutral; 'blank expression' is the standard phrase, while 'unthinking expression' is rarer and slightly more literary
- vacant
suggests a more complete absence of mental content, whereas 'unthinking' can describe a temporary state of exhaustion or distraction
- empty
more informal and emotionally charged; 'unthinking' is more detached and observational
- alert
fully awake and paying attention, the opposite of a blank or vacant look
文法句型
unthinking + noun (look/gaze/stare)
be + unthinking
用法筆記
Primarily describes facial expressions, eyes, or gazes. Not used for actions or decisions — that meaning is covered by sense 1 (CARELESS OR HEEDLESS). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense has no moral judgment; it simply describes an appearance of mental vacancy.
3. lacking the natural ability to think, reason, or be self-aware, used especially
lacking the natural ability to think, reason, or be self-aware, used especially of machines, animals, or theoretical beings that operate without consciousness
The science fiction film featured unthinking robots that followed orders without any awareness.
unthinking + robots: machines that lack consciousness
Some people see insects as unthinking creatures driven purely by instinct rather than reason.
Ayana watched the jellyfish drift through the tank, an unthinking creature with no brain.
The simple robot bumped into the same wall repeatedly, its unthinking program unable to learn.
- mindless
more common in everyday English; 'mindless' can also describe actions done without attention, whereas 'unthinking' in this sense strictly means lacking the capacity for thought
- brainless
informal and often used as an insult; 'unthinking' is neutral and academic
- non-conscious
a technical synonym used in philosophy and neuroscience
文法句型
unthinking + noun (being/creature/machine)
用法筆記
This sense is rare and mostly found in philosophical or speculative contexts. In everyday English, 'mindless' or 'brainless' is far more common. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: this sense is about a permanent lack of capacity, not a temporary state or a moral failure.