What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unthinkingly
Example
He unthinkingly agreed to the proposal without reading the fine print. [unthinkingly: adverb]
Example
She unthinkingly reached for her phone as soon as it beeped. [unthinkingly: adverb]
thoughtlessly
Example
He thoughtlessly made fun of her accent, not realizing how hurtful it was. [thoughtlessly: adverb]
Example
She thoughtlessly left the door open, letting the cold air in. [thoughtlessly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thoughtlessly is more commonly used than unthinkingly in everyday language. Thoughtlessly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unthinkingly is less common and tends to be used in more formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unthinkingly and thoughtlessly?
While thoughtlessly can be used in both formal and informal contexts, unthinkingly is typically associated with a more formal tone and is often used in academic or professional writing.