unthinking

adjective

un·​think·​ing ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce unthinking (audio)
1
: not taking thought : heedless, unmindful
the unthinking onlookers
2
: not indicating thought or reflection
an unthinking decision
3
: not having the power of thought
unthinkingly adverb

Examples of unthinking in a Sentence

His unthinking agreement made me uneasy.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s the interest in Britney Spears and pop icons who had been assumed to be vacant, unthinking ingénues. Brandon Tensley, CNN, 23 Dec. 2022 The point is made: Pinocchio might have a hole where his heart should be, but is the unthinking servile person any less hollow? Michael Cavna, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2022 For tens of millions of Americans, COVID-19 disrupted an important and largely unthinking habit: going to their place of work. Roger Martin, Fortune, 7 July 2022 There follows a curt, violent Scherzo—an apotheosis of unthinking force. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022 In my youth, and perhaps yours, Wilson was presented in history books as a tragic hero whom the unthinking American people didn’t deserve. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 16 Mar. 2022 Finally, Black dismisses as unthinking and unhelpful the characterization of Gröning, Eberling, and their followers by many contemporary commentators as relics of a backward and superstitious rural past. Richard J. Evans, The New Republic, 1 Dec. 2021 The unthinking ageism that has crept into much of the discussion about climate change is a serious problem, given the growing demographic weight and financial power of the older population. Bobby Duffy, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2021 The boomers worked with the material they were given, and part of what they were given was a lifeless religious establishmentarianism and an unthinking faith in the power of government. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unthinking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unthinking was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near unthinking

Cite this Entry

“Unthinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unthinking. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unthinking

adjective
un·​think·​ing ˌən-ˈthiŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce unthinking (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not thinking : inattentive, thoughtless
unthinking people who litter the streets
2
: not having the power of thought
unthinkingly adverb

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