Synonyms of disregard

disregard 1 of 2

noun

as in casualness

lack of interest or concern

revelers firing guns in the air with complete disregard for the possible consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• casualness
• indifference
• nonchalance
• unconcern
• insouciance
• apathy
• recklessness
• carelessness
• disinterestedness
• complacence
• incuriosity
• detachment
• incuriousness
• coldness
• unawareness
• torpor
• heedlessness
• lukewarmness
• lethargy
• callousness
• tepidity
• tepidness
• aloofness
• insensitivity
• halfheartedness
• stoicism
• hardness
• impassivity
• dispassion
• impassiveness
• cool
• stolidity
• callosity
• listlessness
• hard-heartedness
• phlegm
• bloodlessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concern
• interest
• regard
• attention
• awareness
• curiosity
• sensitivity
• attentiveness
• keenness
• prejudice
• bias
• desire
• conscientiousness
• partiality
• zeal
• heedfulness
• warmth
• passion
• vehemence
• warmheartedness
• ardor
• fervency

disregard

2 of 2

verb

ˌdis-ri-ˈgärd 

1

as in to despise

to ignore in a disrespectful manner

disregarded the wishes of his tradition-conscious family in his choice of a bride

Synonyms & Similar Words

• despise
• forget
• neglect
• dismiss
• flout
• overlook
• scorn
• pass over
• disparage
• belittle
• slight
• deprecate
• slur (over)
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• use
• approve

2

as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to

disregarded the posted warnings of avalanche danger and went skiing anyway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignore
• forget
• neglect
• overlook
• miss
• pass over
• slight
• bypass
• reject
• omit
• slur (over)
• fail
• overpass
• disdain
• brush (aside or off)
• slough (off)
• scant
• scorn
• shrug off
• pooh
• skimp
• sluff (off)
• pooh-pooh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regard
• tend (to)
• heed
• appreciate
• attend (to)
• mind
• value
• treasure
• remember
• prize
• foster
• cultivate
• nurse
• follow
• cherish
• listen (to)
• watch
• notice
• observe
• nurture
• note
• mark
• pamper
• remark

3

as in to forgive

to dismiss as of little importance

this essay is so good that I can safely disregard a couple of spelling errors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignore
• forgive
• overlook
• explain
• justify
• excuse
• pardon
• discount
• condone
• forgive and forget
• pass over
• whitewash
• shrug off
• brush (aside or off)
• remit
• blink (at)
• paper over
• gloss (over)
• wink (at)
• overpass
• rationalize
• gloze (over)
• close one's eyes to
• vindicate
• absolve
• exonerate
• waive
• exculpate
• acquit
• wave (aside or off)
• clear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• note
• mark
• mind
• object (to)
• heed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disregard distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disregard are forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

In what contexts can forget take the place of disregard?

The words forget and disregard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When would ignore be a good substitute for disregard?

While the synonyms ignore and disregard are close in meaning, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than disregard?

The words neglect and disregard can be used in similar contexts, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to disregard?

The synonyms overlook and disregard are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When might slight be a better fit than disregard?

In some situations, the words slight and disregard are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disregard

Noun

Businessmen and revolutionaries alike tended to disregard borders. —Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

The kids get an assist from Sally Hardesty herself (Olwen Fouéré), whom the film treats with such flippant disregard that the matter should be tried in court. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025

Verb

Fujie also published a newsletter arguing that the encouraged phone limitation was not based on scientific evidence and disregarded the rights of children and young residents. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 Oct. 2025

Norm-breaking presidents can disregard the law, and judges may cave. —Donald Nieman, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025