rash 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of rashnext
as in impulsive
acting or done with excessive or careless speed that was too rash a move, for now I've lost my bishop and probably the whole chess game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rash

2 of 2

noun

as in plague

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rash are adventurous, daredevil, daring, foolhardy, reckless, and venturesome. While all these words mean "exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense," rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

When is adventurous a more appropriate choice than rash?

The words adventurous and rash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

Where would daredevil be a reasonable alternative to rash?

The synonyms daredevil and rash are sometimes interchangeable, but daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

When would daring be a good substitute for rash?

The words daring and rash can be used in similar contexts, but daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

When can foolhardy be used instead of rash?

While the synonyms foolhardy and rash are close in meaning, foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

In what contexts can reckless take the place of rash?

The meanings of reckless and rash largely overlap; however, reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

When could venturesome be used to replace rash?

In some situations, the words venturesome and rash are roughly equivalent. However, venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rash
Adjective
Anvari and Gillies ratchet up the tension several notches by introducing another car on the road with Alice, prompting more rash decisions. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025 Children are typically brought to the hospital after having the body rash for several days. —Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC. —Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 Saturday marked the eighth career start for Warren, the Yankees’ No. 2 pitching prospect, who made the season-opening rotation amid a rash of injuries. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rash
  1. impulsive
  2. plague
  3. hurried
  4. epidemic
  5. sudden
  6. spate
  7. hasty
  8. raft
Adjective
  • Research shows that suicide tends to be a fairly impulsive act during short-term crises.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Children diagnosed with the condition are more likely to have impulsive behavior, and chemotherapy can stunt brain development, Humenik said.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of impulsive
Noun
  • While there is indeed connective tissue between the many forms of hate that plague our society, each has its own contours, and there are moments that demand addressing each one specifically – this is such a moment for antisemitism.
    — Sara Colb, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
  • When plague struck again, only 18 ferrets remained.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • The German foreign minister flew to the United States on February 2 and returned to Europe the same night in a hurried effort to convince Baker of the need for a nonexpansion pledge to secure German unification.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ryan Kalkbrenner blocked Troy D’Amico’s attempt at a winning 3-pointer in the final seconds, Isaiah Rivera missed a hurried 3 just before the buzzer and the Bluejays had forced overtime with an improbable comeback.
    — Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurried
Noun
  • Dissanayake attributes the rise in ego-scrolling to the loneliness epidemic and a collective increase in stress and unhappiness among young adults.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This echoes the findings of the U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory on Social Connection, which declared loneliness a public health epidemic.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • Several conditions may cause sudden vision loss, such as an eye injury.
    — Heidi Cope, Health, 19 Apr. 2025
  • All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge.
    — Katie Akin, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of sudden
Noun
  • Senate Republicans are experiencing a new case of heartburn over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a spate of Pentagon staff firings in recent weeks and the emergence of a second Signal chat reportedly detailing attack plans in a month’s time.
    — Al Weaver, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Miramax cofounder has experienced a spate of health issues in recent years.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of spate
Adjective
  • The climactic battle feels hasty in the moment, but dragging it out any longer — or worse, having to make everyone recite the usual vampire-killing rules — would have been duller than elevator music.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • On the dark side, however, this can often lead to hasty decision-making, overly blunt communication or worse, jumping to conclusions.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of hasty
Noun
  • In addition to a raft of feature updates, the new OS brings major security and privacy improvements from both Google and Samsung, and a new, Apple-like ecosystem.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • During subsequent performances, spectators took in the music from boats and rafts on the water.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of raft

Browse Nearby Words

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rash
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Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rash. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rash

Nglish: Translation of rash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rash

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