a thoughtless comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thoughtless comment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a remark made without consideration for its impact or the feelings of others. Example: "Her response was just a thoughtless comment that hurt his feelings deeply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I figure, if I can survive this far, a thoughtless comment or difficult person isn't going to break my stride.

Huffington Post

Even being caught out with a thoughtless comment about punishing women who have an abortion did not put to an end to what, one hoped, would be an electoral super bowl's half-time entertainment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I made a hurtful and thoughtless comment," Hayward said in a statement.

Independent

"I made a hurtful and thoughtless comment on Sunday when I said that "I wanted my life back".

Huffington Post

It was a horrible and thoughtless comment and there should be consequences when someone who is supposed to be an objective journalist not only inserts themselves into a news story, but also does it in an offensive and inexcusable way.

Huffington Post

Keeping up requires you to be mindful of your speech, to choose not to be the person who puts the thoughtless in thoughtless comment.

Huffington Post

He talked about other women, used honesty as an excuse for making thoughtless comments -- "There's a difference between being honest and being an asshole," Andi reminded him -- and seemed completely uninterested in who she really was as a person, brushing off her concerns with an "ess oh-kay".

Huffington Post

Gruber apologized for his "arrogant" and "thoughtless" comments at a congressional hearing in December, but the damage had already been done.

Los Angeles Times

Why do we not see the radiologist more often?' There is a high risk of poorly adapted behaviour and thoughtless comments at all steps of management of patients during a radiology, ultrasound or MRI examination that can have a disastrous effect on patients who are already particularly susceptible as a result of their disease.

Cancer Imaging

Some people say nothing; others, in a rush to relieve the feelings of awkwardness, blurt out well-intentioned but thoughtless comments, like telling the parent of a child with cancer, "My grandmother went through this, so I understand".

The New York Times - Health

It is much better to have gone over what you are going to say to iron out any insensitive or thoughtless comments that might crop up through nervousness or an over-willingness to "set things right".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering feedback, focus on constructive criticism rather than making blanket statements that could be interpreted as "a thoughtless comment". Frame your feedback in a way that encourages growth and improvement.

Common error

Avoid making assumptions about others' experiences or beliefs. What seems harmless to you might be hurtful or offensive to someone else. Be mindful of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints to prevent making "a thoughtless comment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thoughtless comment" functions as a noun phrase, where "thoughtless" modifies the noun "comment". It serves to describe a particular type of remark characterized by a lack of consideration or forethought.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thoughtless comment" is a noun phrase used to describe a remark lacking consideration and potentially causing offense. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki content, indicating a neutral to informal register. When crafting your own content, remember to prioritize empathy and consideration to avoid uttering "a thoughtless comment" that could harm interpersonal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unthinking comment

Directly replaces "thoughtless" with "unthinking", maintaining a similar meaning.

an insensitive remark

Replaces "thoughtless" with "insensitive", emphasizing the lack of consideration for others' feelings.

a careless remark

Substitutes "thoughtless" with "careless", highlighting the lack of attention or deliberation.

an imprudent statement

Uses "imprudent" instead of "thoughtless", indicating a lack of wisdom or foresight.

a tactless observation

Replaces "thoughtless" with "tactless", focusing on the lack of social awareness or skill.

a rash utterance

Uses "rash" instead of "thoughtless", emphasizing the impulsiveness of the remark.

a misguided statement

Replaces "thoughtless" with "misguided", suggesting that the comment is based on faulty reasoning or understanding.

a poorly considered remark

Emphasizes the lack of careful thought or evaluation behind the comment.

a heedless observation

Substitutes "thoughtless" with "heedless", highlighting the lack of attention to potential consequences.

a crude statement

Replaces "thoughtless" with "crude", highlighting the lack of refinement or delicacy.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a thoughtless comment" and "an insensitive remark"?

While both phrases describe comments that cause hurt, "a thoughtless comment" implies a lack of consideration, while "an insensitive remark" suggests a lack of awareness or disregard for others' feelings. The latter may be intentional, while the former is more likely unintentional.

How can I avoid making "a thoughtless comment"?

Practice active listening to fully understand others' perspectives. Before speaking, ask yourself if your comment could be misinterpreted or cause offense. Empathy and consideration are key to preventing "a careless remark".

What are some synonyms for "a thoughtless comment"?

Alternatives include "an imprudent statement", "a tactless observation", or "a rash utterance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always wrong to make "a thoughtless comment"?

While it's generally best to avoid them, unintentional "a thoughtless comment" may occur. The key is to apologize sincerely, acknowledge the impact of your words, and learn from the experience to prevent similar situations in the future.