neglectful

adjective

ne·​glect·​ful ni-ˈglek(t)-fəl 

: given to neglecting : careless, heedless

neglectfully

ni-ˈglek(t)-fə-lē 

adverb

neglectfulness noun

Synonyms

• careless
• derelict
• disregardful
• lax
• lazy
• neglecting
• negligent
• remiss
• slack

Choose the Right Synonym for neglectful

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness.

negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

Examples of neglectful in a Sentence

he's certainly not a neglectful father as he takes very good care of his children

Recent Examples on the Web

Below, a few of my favorite books about bad mothering, from the benignly neglectful to the downright evil. —Sarah Harman, People.com, 11 May 2025

Speaking of the Senate: That chamber on Monday fully passed Senate Bill 20, which seeks to crack down on chronically neglectful landlords by allowing government authorities to temporarily take control of run-down apartment buildings. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 May 2025

My parents were off to a party, my younger brother was in bed, and my older sister had a neglectful attitude toward babysitting me. —ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025

Like Fallen Idols, The Carters explores the early dysfunction, trauma, addiction, and neglectful parenting that contributed to each of the Carter children’s issues in adulthood. —Rachel Brodsky, Time, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

neglect entry 2 + -ful entry 1

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neglectful

• respectful
• disrespectful

Kids Definition

neglectful

adjective

ne·​glect·​ful ni-ˈglek(t)-fəl 

: given to neglecting : careless

neglectfully

-fə-lē 

adverb