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Synonyms

heedless

American  
[heed-lis] / ˈhid lɪs /

adjective

  1. careless; thoughtless; unmindful.

    Heedless of the danger, he returned to the burning building to save his dog.
    Synonyms:
    unconcerned, uncaring, negligent, indifferent, oblivious
    Antonyms:
    heedful, mindful, cautious
heedless British  
/ ˈhiːdlɪs /

adjective

  1. taking little or no notice; careless or thoughtless

"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

  • heedlessly adverb
  • heedlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of heedless

First recorded in 1570–80; heed + -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.

She opposed Pete Hegseth’s risible nomination as Defense secretary and voted to undo Trump’s heedless tariffs on Canada.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

She said the new working plans were being implemented in a "heavy-handed way, heedless of the consequences".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

Even among the irrepressible talents of his co-stars, Perry stood out, for a rubbery, heedless way with physical comedy and a split-second timing that most stopwatches would envy.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

Oh, to possess the heedless innocence of a character in a horror movie.

From New York Times • May 25, 2023

‘Few now remember them,’ Tom murmured, ‘yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.’

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

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.