rashly

American  

[rash-lee] / ˈræʃ li /

adverb

1. too hastily or thoughtlessly; in a foolhardy or ill-advised way.

   She often reminds him not to act rashly, to think things through before acting.

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Etymology

Origin of rashly

rash ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When you do something rashly, you act without stopping to think things through. Don't rashly promise your friend that you'll bake three dozen cookies for her party without making sure you have time to do it! Careful, thoughtful people tend not to act or speak rashly; instead, they consider the effects of their actions. A decision made rashly can have unintended consequences, like when you rashly decided to ride your bike to your grandparents' house, not stopping to think about the fact that they live 500 miles away. Rashly and the adjective rash come from a root meaning "flash of lightning." Make decisions as quick as lightning, and you make them rashly.

Example Sentences

But rather than reacting rashly, he marshaled a tenacious defense, not losing his composure or allowing himself to be tempted into a hotheaded action that could have led to disaster.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

They don’t say that you will mourn this garish and ugly melamine plate—which you rashly gave away during a clear-out—as if it were a dead pet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Xavi Simons' incisive long pass sent Johnson racing through on goal, prompting goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski to rashly race out of his area.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

The owners at Brentford have earned a reputation for making good decisions, and they will not have made this one rashly.

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2025

‘Towards danger; but not too rashly, nor too straight,’ answered the wizard.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien