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Synonyms

heedless

American  
[heed-lis] / ˈhid lɪs /

adjective

  1. careless; thoughtless; unmindful.

    Heedless of the danger, he returned to the burning building to save his dog.
    Synonyms:
    unconcerned, uncaring, negligent, indifferent, oblivious
    Antonyms:
    heedful, mindful, cautious
heedless British  
/ ˈhiːdlɪs /

adjective

  1. taking little or no notice; careless or thoughtless

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • heedlessly adverb
  • heedlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of heedless

First recorded in 1570–80; heed + -less

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.

She said the new working plans were being implemented in a "heavy-handed way, heedless of the consequences".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

Even among the irrepressible talents of his co-stars, Perry stood out, for a rubbery, heedless way with physical comedy and a split-second timing that most stopwatches would envy.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

The trial has been widely viewed as a test of whether Fox's coverage crossed the line between ethical journalism and the heedless pursuit of ratings, as Dominion alleges and Fox denies.

From Reuters • Apr. 10, 2023

If only the timing had been different or a certain heedless action avoided, the longed-for happy ending might not have been preempted by calamity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2023

He picked a team full of allies, heedless of representing the breadth of farm society.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

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.