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

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 fans are insane, and fortune favors, in the long term, those who spend rashly and can buy players who want to win.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 24, 2025

The answer depends somewhat on your situation and risk tolerance, but in general, experts advise investors to be aware of potential ups and downs but not act too rashly.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2025

The truth was that for once in his life he had acted rashly.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams