ill-judged

[il-juhjd] / ˈɪlˈdʒʌdʒd /

ADJECTIVE

ill-advised

Synonyms

STRONGEST

foolhardy foolish half-baked ill-considered imprudent inappropriate indiscreet misguided reckless thoughtless

WEAK

brash confused hotheaded impolitic incautious inconsiderate inexpedient injudicious madcap off the top of one's head overhasty rash short-sighted unseemly wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careful cautious discreet prudent thoughtful wise

WEAK

reasonable sensible well-advised

ADJECTIVE

impolitic

Synonyms

WEAK

brash ill-advised imprudent inadvisable inconsiderate indiscreet inexpedient injudicious maladroit misguided rash stupid tactless undiplomatic untimely

Antonyms

WEAK

careful cautious discreet politic wise

ADJECTIVE

imprudent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

careless foolhardy foolish ill-advised ill-considered irresponsible reckless thoughtless unwise

WEAK

brash heedless impolitic improvident incautious inconsiderate indiscreet inexpedient injudicious leaving self wide open off the deep end overhasty playing with fire rash temerarious unadvisable unthinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attentive careful cautious kind mindful prudent responsible sensible thoughtful wise

WEAK

discreet

ADJECTIVE

incautious

Synonyms

WEAK

any old way bold brash careless caught napping devil-may-care fast-and-loose foot-in-mouth hasty heedless hotheaded ill-advised impetuous improvident imprudent impulsive inconsiderate indiscreet injudicious madcap neglectful negligent off guard pay no mind playing with fire precipitate rash reckless regardless sticking one's neck out thoughtless unalert unguarded unmindful unthinking unvigilant unwatchful wary wide open

Antonyms

WEAK

careful cautious discreet thoughtful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The majority can be pinned on the ludicrously ill-judged appointment of Nancy, but under Brendan Rodgers they lost to Dundee and Hearts and under O'Neill lost to Hibs and drew with Hearts.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

“Mean” comments can sometimes just be ill-judged humor intended to defuse the atmosphere and, yes, sometimes they can be mean.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 27, 2025

The UK's choice for the next ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, has described his previous criticism of Donald Trump as "ill-judged and wrong".

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2025

I had ill-judged him, he was neither hard nor sardonic, he was already my friend of many years, the brother I had never possessed.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

ill-judged

Example Sentences

Related Words