ignore

verb

ig·​nore ig-ˈnȯr 

ignored; ignoring

transitive verb

1

a

: to refuse to take notice of

I'm ignoring their comments.

b

: to do nothing about or in response to

cannot just ignore the warning signs

2

law : to reject (a bill of indictment) as ungrounded

ignorable

ig-ˈnȯr-ə-bəl 

adjective

ignorer noun

Synonyms of ignore

• forget
• disregard
• overlook
• neglect

Choose the Right Synonym for ignore

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention.

neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Examples of ignore in a Sentence

She tried to ignore him but he wouldn't leave her alone.

I'll ignore that last remark.

If we continue to ignore these problems they will only get worse.

They ignored the warning signs.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bank admitted that regulatory action is an overhang but said the stock remains too compelling to ignore. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026

Until the rules are changed, as Silver has vowed, to ignore the lottery and tanking possibilities is akin to ignoring the value of 3-point shots, zone defense or any other means to get ahead of the game. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026

According to the report, Bahrami ignored orders to drop the knife. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

Institutions cannot benefit from taxpayer dollars while ignoring the fact that a significant share of their students are not well-prepared to repay their loans. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete ignore to be ignorant of, from French ignorer, from Latin ignorare, from ignarus ignorant, unknown, from in- + gnoscere, noscere to know — more at know

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ignore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

ignore

verb

ig·​nore ig-ˈnō(ə)r 

-ˈnȯ(ə)r

ignored; ignoring

: to refuse to notice : pay no attention to

ignored his advice

ignorable

-ˈnō(ə)r-ə-bəl 

-ˈnȯ(ə)r-

adjective

ignorer noun