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Synonyms

senseless

American  
[sens-lis] / ˈsɛns lɪs /

adjective

  1. destitute or deprived of sensation; unconscious.

    Synonyms:
    insensible, insensate

  2. lacking mental perception, appreciation, or comprehension.

    Synonyms:
    undiscerning, unperceiving
    Antonyms:
    sensitive

  3. stupid or foolish, as persons or actions.

    Synonyms:
    asinine, witless, inane, idiotic, silly
    Antonyms:
    intelligent

  4. nonsensical or meaningless, as words.

    This letter is either cryptic or senseless.
senseless British  
/ ˈsɛnslɪs /

adjective

  1. lacking in sense; foolish

    a senseless plan

  2. lacking in feeling; unconscious

  3. lacking in perception; stupid

"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

  • senselessly adverb
  • senselessness noun

Etymology

Origin of senseless

First recorded in 1550–60; sense + -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.

"It's senseless really, but I think it is born out of frustration," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Speaking after the verdict, investigating officer Craig Nicholson described the crash as a "senseless tragedy".

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

“Our collective hearts are broken as a result of this senseless outcome.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the attack as "senseless" as he repeated calls for a ceasefire.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

He thought the war was senseless and hoped it would end soon.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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.