irresponsible

1 of 2

adjective

ir·​re·​spon·​si·​ble ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce irresponsible (audio)
Synonyms of irresponsiblenext
: not responsible: such as
a
: lacking a sense of responsibility
b
: said or done with no sense of responsibility
irresponsible accusations
c
: unable especially mentally or financially to bear responsibility
d
: not answerable to higher authority
an irresponsible dictatorship
irresponsibility noun
irresponsibleness noun
irresponsibly adverb

irresponsible

2 of 2

noun

: a person who is irresponsible

Synonyms of irresponsible

Examples of irresponsible in a Sentence

Adjective He's too irresponsible to keep a job for more than a week. She made irresponsible comments that helped cause the riot. It would be irresponsible to ignore the threats.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
But at this stage of Porzingis’ career, with his medical record and dearth of games played, expecting a savior for a team clinging to the eighth seed is irresponsible. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026 Lowering the bar for student achievement, especially for minority children, is irresponsible at best and racist at worst. Juan Rangel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 But nine months of suffering because research for better treatments is lacking is tragic and irresponsible. Jason Collins, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 The internet quickly erupted with outrage and criticism, as social influencers and experts alike argued that the guidance is irresponsible. Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irresponsible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irresponsible was in 1648

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irresponsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irresponsible. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

irresponsible

adjective
ir·​re·​spon·​si·​ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl
1
: not legally responsible
2
: having or showing no sense of responsibility
irresponsible behavior
3
: unable to bear responsibility
irresponsibility
-ˌspän(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
irresponsibly
-ˈspän(t)-sə-blē
adverb

Medical Definition

irresponsible

adjective
ir·​re·​spon·​si·​ble ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce irresponsible (audio)
: not responsible : mentally inadequate to bear responsibility
irresponsibility noun
plural irresponsibilities

More from Merriam-Webster on irresponsible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster