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neglect 1 of 2

1
as in disrepair
the state of being unattended to or not cared for for years the barn sat in neglect until one day it finally fell down

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action your ongoing neglect of your health is going to land you in the hospital someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

neglect

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard, forget, ignore, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When could disregard be used to replace neglect?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When would forget be a good substitute for neglect?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When is ignore a more appropriate choice than neglect?

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is it sensible to use overlook instead of neglect?

The synonyms overlook and neglect are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

In what contexts can slight take the place of neglect?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; however, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 neglect
Noun
Confusion over Natalia’s actual age began to dominate the investigation into the Barnetts’ behavior, which was serious enough that they were each charged separately in 2019 with criminal counts related to both child neglect and neglect of a dependent [adult]. Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025 Along Mexico Border To Hold Migrants, Report Says The Federal Reserve Cuts GDP Projections As Inflation Stays Too High Because both sides have accused one another of neglect and mistreatment, the Hulu series is intentionally told through multiple perspectives. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
The lawsuit accused the company of failing to protect user data and neglecting to notify users of the breach. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 The owners of derelict or neglected commercial buildings are now subject to the same fines as negligent residential property owners. Karri Peifer, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
  • Built in 1957, the current building is in disrepair, but North Chicago School District 187 Superintendent John Price said the test scores there are the best in the district.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The woman’s house had been in disrepair before the collapse, WPVI reported.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Other potential claims could include intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and negligence.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Judge Jorge Ortiz denied Smith & Wesson’s motions to dismiss counts of unfair business practices and negligence but granted a motion to dismiss allegations around deceptive business practices in a 34-page decision.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Though last Friday’s March jobs release was better than expected, with an increase in 228,000 jobs according to the nonfarm payroll report, it was widely ignored as old news due to the tariff implementation.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Pedro Pascal isn't ignoring an obvious parallel between himself and his character in the HBO series The Last of Us.
    Arabella Hau, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Everyone’s buzzing about Men’s March Madness, but don’t forget to switch the channel to catch the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Not forgetting a formidable Frenchman (with whom Eze could dovetail) and a free-scoring Brazilian.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Aim for Outsized Returns Given that most innovation initiatives will fail, the successful projects must generate returns that justify the overall investment.
    Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • But signing Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft who failed with the New York Jets, was a surprise.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Related article Research team reports longest successful transplant of a pig kidney into a human A successful pig liver transplant would be a major advance for people with acute liver failure, even as a temporary bridge while awaiting a human donor organ.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Parading out amendments destined for failure is not leadership.
    Christopher Eric Bouchat, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In other words, the excess of the original debt over the amount determined to have been due can be disregarded in calculating gross income.
    Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Others, however, pointed out that there may be more nuance to the situation — and that the OP disregarding his mother’s wishes could have serious consequences.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on neglect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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