negligence

neg·li·gence

noun \ˈne-gli-jən(t)s\

Definition of NEGLIGENCE

1

a : the quality or state of being negligent b : failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances

2

: an act or instance of being negligent

Examples of NEGLIGENCE

1. The company was charged with negligence in the manufacturing of the defective tires.
2. <exhibiting his usual negligence, he failed to set the emergency brake, and the car rolled down the steep hill and crashed into the telephone pole>

First Known Use of NEGLIGENCE

14th century

Related to NEGLIGENCE

Synonyms: carelessness, dereliction, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, laxness, neglectfulness, remissness, slackness

Antonyms: care, carefulness, caution, cautiousness, heedfulness

Related Words: foolhardiness, rashness, recklessness, wildness; neglect, omission; delinquency, irresponsibility, irresponsibleness, malfeasance, malpractice, misconduct; misdirection, mishandling, mismanagement; forgetfulness, inadvertence, inadvertency, inattention, inattentiveness, obliviousness, shortsightedness, unwariness

Near Antonyms: alertness, attention, attentiveness, awareness; circumspection, observance, vigilance, watchfulness; responsibility, responsibleness

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi