senseless

[sens-lis]

adjective

1. destitute or deprived of sensation; unconscious.

   Synonyms: insensible, insensate

2. lacking mental perception, appreciation, or comprehension.

   Synonyms: undiscerning, unperceiving
   Antonyms: sensitive

3. stupid or foolish, as persons or actions.

   Synonyms: asinine, witless, inane, idiotic, silly
   Antonyms: intelligent

4. nonsensical or meaningless, as words.

   This letter is either cryptic or senseless.

senseless

/ ˈsɛnslɪs /

adjective

1. lacking in sense; foolish

   a senseless plan

2. lacking in feeling; unconscious

3. lacking in perception; stupid

Other Word Forms

• senselessness noun
• senselessly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of senseless¹

First recorded in 1550–60; sense + -less

Example Sentences

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara joined Frey at the press conference, calling the shooting an “unthinkable tragedy” and a “senseless attack.”

From Salon

Delivering the homily at Saturday's funeral, Fr Timothy Bartlett said that "the peace of an ordinary summer Sunday morning" had been "cruelly shattered by acts of vicious and senseless violence".

From BBC

Reacting to Israel's decision, UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that further escalation "will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes".

From BBC

Instead, after several delays and setbacks, she finds herself involved in an excruciatingly senseless death when the Beach’s restaurant is bombed.

From Los Angeles Times

Safety is difficult to ensure as well: Fans have been beaten senseless walking to or from their cars.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absurd 
• illogical 
• incongruous 
• insignificant 
• irrational 
• ludicrous 
• mindless 
• pointless 
• ridiculous 
• stupid 
• unreasonable