remiss

adjective

re·​miss ri-ˈmis 

1

: negligent in the performance of work or duty : careless

2

: showing neglect or inattention : lax

remissly adverb

remissness noun

Synonyms of remiss

• neglectful
• neglecting
• careless
• lazy
• negligent

Choose the Right Synonym for remiss

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 remiss in a Sentence

It would be remiss of me if I did not share with you the vital role God has played in my recovery. —Jennifer Howard, Undoing Time, 2001

But if we do not address these complexities in the public arena, and in ways that are spatially theoretically grounded, we will be remiss in carrying out our scholarly and civic responsibilities. —Saul B. Cohen, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, December 1991

"Well, Sally, I'm in fault, and I acknowledge it; I've been remiss; but I won't let tomorrow go by without stopping up them holes." —Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1885

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how much I appreciated the lovely gift.

Recent Examples on the Web

But political leaders have been really remiss in taking any real steps towards addressing this loneliness epidemic. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Before charging headlong into this icy island again, the U.S. would be remiss not to learn from past failures and consider how Earth’s rapidly changing climate is fundamentally altering the region. —Paul Bierman, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2026

This time around, though, there should be at least a couple of signal-callers available for Las Vegas, and the Raiders would be remiss not to nab one of them. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Tinseltown One would be remiss to skip over Simon Miller’s array of shimmering and shining specialties. —Madeline Fass, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remisse, borrowed from Latin remissus "relaxed, free from constraint, casual, lenient," from past participle of remittere "to send back, release, relax, ease off" — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for remiss

• abyss
• amiss
• chlamys
• dismiss
• premiss
• bis
• bliss
• criss
• dis
• diss
• hiss
• kiss

Kids Definition

remiss

adjective

re·​miss ri-ˈmis 

1

: careless in the performance of work or duty

remiss in paying one's bills

2

: showing neglect or lack of attention

service at the restaurant was remiss

remissly adverb

remissness noun