ignore

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard, forget, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is disregard a more appropriate choice than ignore?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could forget be used to replace ignore?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can neglect be used instead of ignore?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to ignore?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would slight be a good substitute for ignore?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, 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 ignore But the plan roundly ignores the contributions of climate change to the state's extreme heat problem. Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Eventually, the discomfort became too much to ignore. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 While his comments were made half-jokingly, the marketability of white rappers over Black rappers, especially in recent years, is hard to ignore. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025 Her question goes completely ignored. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore
Verb
  • Taylor has also been an advocate of his own neighborhood, Hallmark, the 10th and often forgotten community within the West End.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The historic Gold Rush settlement of Norristown located around where Sac State’s campus is today, is almost entirely forgotten.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • You’d be forgiven for not knowing, since MotoGP, despite being the most prestigious motorcycle racing series in the world, is still a niche sport.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
  • You’ll be forgiven for not spending a lot of time thinking about zip ties.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In their complaint, the unions allege the budget office's memo unlawfully directs agencies to disregard their own authorizing statutes.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
  • If a customer has no option to disregard or modify the charge, it cannot be deducted from the employee’s income.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sweden and Finland might get overlooked by North American fans, but those hockey powers are always keen to crash the party.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Lynnoland Brass 6-Light Chandelier Light Fixture Don't overlook lighting this Prime Day.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The sound effects team hasn't entirely neglected the franchise's acid-blooded poster boys, either.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Nicole acknowledged that pay equity is neglected in the women’s sports landscape.
    Essence, Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Reliever Luke Weaver melted down again, and then seemed lost trying to explain it postgame.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In the show, Gein strikes Henry with a piece of wood, then drags his body into the woods and stages a brush fire to explain Henry's death.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Benefits and perks Like any travel card with a hefty annual fee, the Atmos Rewards Summit card has a mile-long list of perks that are designed to deliver value that easily justifies the yearly cost.
    David McMillin, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Ducati has just refreshed its Multistrada V4 Rally – the most off-road capable in its line of performance adventure touring motorcycles – after three years, with a bunch of tech upgrades to make long journeys more comfortable and justify the slightly higher sticker price.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Actors like Andrew Garfield, Chloë Sevigny and Brian Cox have spoken out against their peers who use Method to excuse their own bad behavior.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Plumlee, who had been excused from Monday’s media day activities for personal reasons, has continued to be absent from practice this week and hasn’t spoken about his second tour of duty with Charlotte yet.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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