blindly
Americanadverb
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in a blind manner.
We felt our way blindly through the black tunnel.
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without understanding, reservation, or objection; unthinkingly.
They followed their leaders blindly.
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without continuation.
The passage ended blindly 50 feet away.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of blindly
before 900; Middle English; Old English blindlīce; see blind, -ly
Explanation
To do something blindly is to do it without looking. This word also refers to doing things thoughtlessly. If you blindly accept the friendship ring someone gives you, you might find yourself going to the prom with the wrong date. There are two related senses of blindly, but both involve being in the dark. If you enter a room blindly, you have your eyes closed or can't find the light switch. A quarterback might blindly throw the ball if he's under pressure and can't see the receivers. Similarly, to make a decision blindly is to do it without careful consideration. Actions taken blindly are done without looking at the risks. People tend to get in trouble when they act blindly.
Vocabulary lists containing blindly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As he puts it, natural selection blindly explores a vast “design space”—the trillions of trait combinations a species might have—turning up workable solutions that human designers have learned to borrow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The JPMorgan strategists were at pains to say investors should not just blindly do what an AI recommends.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
He wrote up the Keaton interview and sent it blindly to NYT.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
Innes believes companies will prefer to put their faith in low-cost projects rather than rushing "blindly" into massive expansion.
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
Not taking her eyes off Pet for one second, Bitter stretched out a hand and blindly patted their duvet and pillows before finding Aloe’s arm and squeezing the flesh of his bicep.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
