senseless

adjective

sense·​less ˈsen(t)s-ləs How to pronounce senseless (audio)
Synonyms of senselessnext
: destitute of, deficient in, or contrary to sense: such as
a
: unconscious
knocked senseless
b
: foolish, stupid
… it was some senseless practical joke …—Arthur Conan Doyle
c
: meaningless
a senseless murder
senselessly adverb
senselessness noun

Synonyms of senseless

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Examples of senseless in a Sentence

Don't be such a senseless idiot! she collapsed, senseless, after hitting her head
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now people on both sides of the border will pay for a senseless trade war instigated by a petulant and vengeful president. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 Neighbors were upset that an innocent woman was gunned down, and reflected on the senseless matter of her death. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Daemon narrowly avoids death by dragon as Silverwing's fury brings down nearby stone structures, leaving him nearly senseless. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 Ten years after losing her father to a senseless tragedy, bride Jeni Stepien walked toward her future husband, Paul Maenner, on the arm of the one man who could testify that her father’s heart was still beating. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for senseless

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of senseless was circa 1547

Rhymes for senseless

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Browse Nearby Words

sensei
senseless
sensemaking
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Cite this Entry

“Senseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senseless. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

senseless

adjective
sense·​less ˈsen(t)-sləs How to pronounce senseless (audio)
1
: unconscious entry 1 sense 2
knocked senseless
2
: foolish, stupid
3
: pointless sense 1, meaningless
a senseless act
senselessly adverb
senselessness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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