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
Comparing your returns to your neighbor’s often leads to rash moves, like jumping on trends driven by FOMO (fear of missing out). —Steve Booren, The Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2025 Its common side effects include fatigue, hair loss, rash, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. —Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with genetic and environmental causes, whereas atopic dermatitis stems from an irritating substance that triggers a rash. —Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025 Eczema is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that causes a dry, itchy rash. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 30 Mar. 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
  • What began as an impulsive decision turned into an unforgettable journey, one that gave her the opportunity to experience the U.S. in a way few travelers do.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This often leads to better returns than active trading, which generally incurs higher costs and taxes and stems from impulsive, emotional decision-making, experts said.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 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
  • Despite a recent spate of non-renewals, State Farm remains the largest property insurer in California, with around one million policies in the state, according to the Associated Press.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Losing players of that calibre would hurt any side, but this spate of injuries is still a prompt for Bayern to reinforce themselves better, in a way which does not force the kind of tactical redesign which lay at the heart of Tuesday’s defeat.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 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
  • Those figures come amid a raft of troubling economic data.
    — Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The men then clambered down to the water before launching a raft from the northeast shore of the island.
    — Louise McLoughlin, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of raft

Browse Nearby Words

rascals
rash
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Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rash. Accessed 25 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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