Definition of NEGLECT

Choose the Right Synonym for neglect

Verb

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

Verb

neglect and disregard mean to pass over something without giving it any or enough attention. neglect is used when a person does not give, whether deliberately or not, enough attention to something that deserves or requires attention. You have been neglecting your homework. disregard is used for deliberately overlooking something usually because it is not considered worth noticing. He disregarded the “keep out” sign.

Examples of neglect in a Sentence

Verb

The building has been neglected for years. The city has neglected the teacher shortage for too long. The prison guard neglected his duty.

Noun

The park was overgrown and littered from years of neglect. The parents were charged with child neglect. The house is in a state of neglect.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

This is the fundamental issue which people have neglected to think about in the rush to the 25th Amendment. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Can the 25th Amendment be invoked to remove Trump from office? I asked one of its authors.," 14 Feb. 2019 As the Los Angeles Times wrote, Rozar was a philanthropist who devoted years to helping abused and neglected children — and one of the fathers of today’s massive data-mining industry. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, "Men are from cyberspace: this week in tech, 20 years ago," 6 Oct. 2018 Most dogs who have been abused or neglected can only hope for a home where they'll be fed and cared for. — Fox News, "Kavanaugh denies assault allegations in Fox News interview," 25 Sep. 2018 If a child is abused or neglected and if child protective services gets involved, the child is placed into a foster home. — NBC News, "Border separations show why the US doesn't have orphanages any more," 20 June 2018 During her 20 years in animal rescue, Boucher has seen her share of animals that have been abused, neglected and just plain unlucky. — Ruben Vives, latimes.com, "Puppies found with a missing foot and broken jaws in Oakland; authorities launch probe," 30 May 2018 The president congratulated Barr for the premiere's excellent ratings, and the show's success became a rallying point for those who said Hollywood has been neglecting conservative audiences. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "A brief history of Roseanne Barr's online hate," 30 May 2018 In general, rowing is an excellent form or cardio and lower-body strengthening that targets the major posterior muscles, which often get neglected, says Hogue. — Isadora Baum, SELF, "10 Things to Know Before Taking Your First Indoor Rowing Class," 27 Jan. 2019 Note, for example, New York’s decision to build the Second Avenue subway line even as the existing system deteriorates because of neglected maintenance. — Patrick Cooke, WSJ, "‘Romance of the Rails’ Review: Hear That Lonesome Whistle?," 23 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Zawra Park, which opened in 1971 and which includes a 200-acre zoo, is the story of Baghdad in miniature: a once beautiful area that has fallen in disrepair because of neglect, conflict and corruption. — Nabih Bulos, The Seattle Times, "Baghdad, once a jewel among Arab capitals, is barely functional," 28 Jan. 2019 His response to their neglect was a love that looks very much like gallantry. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Churchill’s Adversaries Weren’t His Enemies," 20 Dec. 2018 Detractions from this narrative have mentioned Bush’s 1988 Willie Horton ad, which stoked racial fears, and his neglect of the growing AIDS crisis. — Julia Azari, Vox, "Death of a statesman: George H.W. Bush’s legacy," 6 Dec. 2018 Microsoft essentially acknowledged its neglect of the consumer market at the company's Inspire partner conference this week. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft's pledge to win back the consumer needs to be more than just words," 20 July 2018 And to add insult to your neglect, the most fabulous and unusual performance presented by the Complexions Contemporary in six performances last weekend was completely ignored. — Ed Stockly, latimes.com, "Letters to Calendar: Writers on the storm in Santa Monica," 27 Apr. 2018 More than once, teachers reported her apparent neglect or abuse to a child welfare hotline. — OregonLive.com, "Hart family deaths show -- again -- how much home school children need case workers’ vigilance," 13 Apr. 2018 His neglect of a long-term strategy, in particular, has seen his relationship with the French side's board become fractured, although the immediate successes are clear to see. — SI.com, "Report Claims Claudio Ranieri Is Set for Champions League Club After Impressing With Nantes," 7 Apr. 2018 There are dead people in there due to your neglect! — Megan O'matz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FPL was warned people would die at a sweltering nursing home. But the utility had other priorities.," 10 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neglect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for neglect

Verb

borrowed from Latin neglēctus, past participle of neglegere, neclegere "to disregard, do nothing about, fail to care for," from nec "not" (probably from ne- "not" + -ce, deictic element, going back to Indo-European *ḱe, *ḱi) + legere "to gather, select, read" — more at no entry 1, he entry 1, legend

Note: The Latin formative nec in this word and (with invariable voicing) in negō, negāre "to deny" (see negate) and negōtium "business, difficulty" (see negotiate) is presumably identical with Old Latin nec "not" and distinct from nec as a reduced form of neque "and not."

Noun

borrowed from Latin neglēctus, from neglegere, neclegere "to disregard, do nothing about, neglect entry 1" + -tus, suffix of verbal action

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