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
  • At the peak of the injury plague striking the Magic in January, third-year pro Caleb Houstan served as a spot-starter and joined Orlando‘s rotation as part of the second unit.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025
  • On the north side of this strong storm system, wintry precipitation continues to plague parts of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and New England.
    — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, the Spaniard drove his happiness in it throughout the facility, always with his signature celebratory cigar and at no greater speed than the hurried pace of an ordinary person.
    — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • While some treasure hoards dating to this period appear hurried — as if someone was trying to hide their wealth in a moment of crisis, for example — the Galloway Hoard looks different.
    — Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurried
Noun
  • Unlike in the United States, where the epidemic was primarily concentrated in specific high-risk groups, these regions faced a generalized epidemic.
    — Jonathan Ellen, National Review, 13 Apr. 2025
  • About half of kids qualify for Vaccines for Children, a safety-net program created in response to a 1989-91 measles epidemic that sickened 55,000 people and killed 123.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • Don’t be surprised if your insights come through unconventional means — like a sudden dream, a deep gut feeling or even a meaningful synchronicity that guides you toward a new direction.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • While the stock market recovered over the next two years, the sudden crash prompted the New York Stock Exchange to introduce circuit breakers—temporary halts in trading intended to calm markets and prevent panic selling—which kick in when stock prices fall too sharply, too fast.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of sudden
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of spate
Adjective
  • Weiss and his allies were outvoted 4-3 by those wanting a hasty, truncated search.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Some of those pages have been restored, with a Pentagon official telling NPR that the military's review of images, stories and social media posts has been too hasty in some respects.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of hasty
Noun
  • 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
  • Those figures come amid a raft of troubling economic data.
    — Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of raft

Browse Nearby Words

rascals
rash
rashes
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Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rash. Accessed 18 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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