1.
reckless; blind; indiscriminate; random
Acting without thought or direction, as if groping in the dark.
Can be written in kanji as 闇雲 — literally 'dark clouds,' evoking the image of being unable to see. Most commonly used adverbially as やみくもに, but also works as a na-adjective (やみくもな). Always implies a lack of direction or strategy, not just speed or intensity.
Common collocations
- やみくもに走る: to run blindly
- やみくもに探す: to search randomly
- やみくもに突き進む: to charge ahead recklessly
- やみくもな行動: reckless behavior
Similar words
- 無闇に: recklessly; excessively — very close in meaning but also carries a sense of 'excessively' or 'without good reason'
- 闇雲に: same word in kanji — the kana spelling is more common
- がむしゃらに: frantically; desperately — implies intense single-minded effort rather than lack of direction
- 手当たり次第: at random; indiscriminately — focuses on taking things as they come, one after another
Related Words
Compare:
無闇に (recklessly)