senseless

adjective

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

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.
Selfish and senseless acts that strip away a vital piece of our ecosystem are profoundly disturbing and my office will prosecute anyone who engages in such criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 In a statement, Denver District Attorney John Walsh described Rivas-Hernandez’s death as a terrible, senseless tragedy. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025 Too many people ere [sic] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 However, his career as a Defense Priorities fellow and a Tribune columnist is contingent upon never admitting or criticizing America’s role in provoking, if not starting, senseless wars and refusing to quickly, sensibly end them. Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Senseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senseless. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

senseless

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

More from Merriam-Webster on senseless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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