Meaning & use
mindless
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Meanings
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Done with no thought or purpose, as if the doer were not thinking at all.
Grammar: Goes before a noun or after a linking verb: mindless violence; the plan was mindless.
Patterns
- mindless violence
- a mindless act
Police called the attack mindless violence.
He felt ashamed of his mindless remark.
They followed the rule in a mindless way.
adjectivebefore a noun
Needing so little mental effort that it can be done without attention, often dull and repetitive.
Grammar: Often describes jobs, chores and entertainment.
Patterns
- mindless chore
- mindless entertainment
Folding laundry is a mindless chore I can do while watching TV.
After the exam she wanted some mindless entertainment.
His job was mindless data entry.
adjectiveafter a verbliteraryold-fashioned
Showing little care or concern for something, with the sense of being unaware of it.
Grammar: Takes of: mindless of the danger.
Patterns
- mindless of something
He ran into the burning house, mindless of the danger.
She spoke on, mindless of the time.
The crowd pushed forward, mindless of the barriers.
Word forms
| comparative | more mindless |
|---|---|
| superlative | most mindless |
Common combinations
- mindless violence
- The city was shocked by the mindless violence.
- mindless entertainment
- Sitcoms can be mindless entertainment after a long day.
- mindless task
- Sorting the mail is a mindless task.
- mindless consumption
- Critics attack mindless consumption of fast fashion.
- mindless obedience
- The movie warns against mindless obedience.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thoughtless
- Thoughtless usually means inconsiderate of other people, while mindless means lacking thought of any kind.
- senseless
- Senseless stresses that something has no sense or reason, such as a senseless crime.
- brainless
- Brainless is more insulting and informal, directed at a person's stupidity.
- automatic
- Automatic describes actions done without conscious control, without suggesting criticism.
Opposites
Word family
- mind noun
- the part of a person that thinks
- mindlessly adverb
- without thought
- mindlessness noun
- the state of lacking thought
- mindful adjective
- aware and attentive
Commonly confused: mindless or mindful?
mindless vs mindful
Mindful means paying careful attention, so it is the opposite of mindless, not a similar word.
Practice
After a stressful week, Maya wanted ___ entertainment that required no effort. Which word fits best?
Choose one answer.
Mindless entertainment needs no mental effort. Mindful means attentive, which is the opposite of what Maya wants.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mindless”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.