Synonyms of negligent

negligent

adjective

ˈne-gli-jənt 

as in neglectful

failing to give proper care and attention

the youngster has been woefully negligent in taking care of the vacationing neighbor's dog, repeatedly forgetting to feed the poor animal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• neglectful
• careless
• neglecting
• lazy
• derelict
• reckless
• remiss
• lax
• slack
• irresponsible
• disregardful
• oblivious
• heedless
• forgetful
• incautious
• inattentive
• thoughtless
• unmindful
• disinterested
• unthinking
• indifferent
• uninterested
• delinquent
• unconcerned
• unguarded
• apathetic
• unwary
• wild
• disregarding
• unheeding
• loose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careful
• conscientious
• attentive
• meticulous
• cautious
• responsible
• nonnegligent
• punctilious
• regarding
• circumspect
• painstaking
• vigilant
• mindful
• watchful
• wary
• chary
• guarded
• observant
• alert
• thinking
• thoughtful
• provident
• interested
• heedful
• concerned
• gingerly
• regardful
• heeding
• foresighted
• forethoughtful

Synonym Chooser

How is the word negligent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of negligent are lax, neglectful, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use lax instead of negligent?

While the synonyms lax and negligent are close in meaning, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

Where would neglectful be a reasonable alternative to negligent?

Although the words neglectful and negligent have much in common, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can remiss take the place of negligent?

While in some cases nearly identical to negligent, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When can slack be used instead of negligent?

The meanings of slack and negligent largely overlap; however, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of negligent

She was most recently arrested by the Milford Police Department on April 3 and charged with criminally negligent storage of a firearm. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026

Prospect, which has denied any misconduct or negligent care, has now sold or closed all of its hospitals. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026

Cops arrested Zaria Pope, 24, on Tuesday and charged her with criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, reckless endangerment and several traffic violations. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026

John Reichardt, 64, has been charged with two counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and one count of boat homicide by negligent operation, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026