care less
1 of 2phrase
: not to care
—used positively and negatively with the same meaning
I could care less what happens. = I couldn't care less what happens.
1
a
: free from care : untroubled
careless days
b
: indifferent, unconcerned
careless of the consequences
2
: not taking care
My brother was too careless of his charge.—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: not showing or receiving care:
b
: unstudied, spontaneous
a careless grace
a careless glance
c
obsolete
: unvalued, disregarded
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
Examples of care less in a Sentence
Adjective
He is a careless worker.
She was careless with my things.
It was a careless mistake.
a newspaper known for careless reporting
Recent Examples on the Web
Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Instead of churning out another meta indie comedy from cool TikTokers, Gail Daughtry seeks to return the genre to a more careless time for the world — and a much more profitable time for Hollywood.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
Back in 2025, soaring rice prices and careless comments cost then farm minister Taku Eto his job and reportedly prompted former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba to take personal responsibility for lowering prices as a rice shortage took hold.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
The problem is that careless usage has gradually shifted the nep-Overton window, expanding the term until it’s lost both its meaning and its bite.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for care less
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Among the violations for which troopers most frequently issued citations in 2025 were careless driving, operating a motorcycle without a license endorsement, and speeding 10 mph to 29 mph over the limit.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Instead of churning out another meta indie comedy from cool TikTokers, Gail Daughtry seeks to return the genre to a more careless time for the world — and a much more profitable time for Hollywood.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
Back in 2025, soaring rice prices and careless comments cost then farm minister Taku Eto his job and reportedly prompted former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba to take personal responsibility for lowering prices as a rice shortage took hold.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026
The problem is that careless usage has gradually shifted the nep-Overton window, expanding the term until it’s lost both its meaning and its bite.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for care less
Cite this Entry
“Care less.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20less. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
careless
adjective
care·less
ˈke(ə)r-ləs 
ˈka(ə)r-
1
: free from care : not troubled
2
: not taking proper care
a careless worker
3
: done, made, or said without proper care
a careless mistake
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
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