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as in to neglect
to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness he forgot the pot boiling on the stove

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word forget distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of forget are disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can disregard be used instead of forget?

While in some cases nearly identical to forget, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could ignore be used to replace forget?

The words ignore and forget can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When might neglect be a better fit than forget?

In some situations, the words neglect and forget are roughly equivalent. However, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When would overlook be a good substitute for forget?

Although the words overlook and forget have much in common, overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to forget?

The synonyms slight and forget are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of forget Currently 29% off (don’t forget to clip the on-page coupon!), the versatile pieces are perfect for patios, poolsides. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025 Just don’t forget a flashlight — because in this America, the darkness doesn’t fall. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025 And don’t forget a sweet treat from Yum – A Southern Market. Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 14 June 2025 For one, no studio wants to release its film too early, only to be forgotten when another major contender comes along. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for forget
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forget
Verb
  • Eliza felt her body becoming alive for the first time, coursing through with a vitality of pure sensation that had been missing for her entire teenage existence.
    Siouxzi Connor June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • The Pacers missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite weeks of calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump has been ignored by Putin, who continues his aggression.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
  • If another catastrophe were to occur—especially one brought on by ignoring the essential stepping stone of the moon—the backlash could be far more severe.
    Avery Padraic Kerrigan, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Precisely understanding the audience that is in a store is becoming essential, but something retailers often neglect.
    Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • It has been neglected, with much deferred maintenance.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Why did selling fail as a strategy every time but once?
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • However, failing to disclose such care to the non-custodial parent may still cause relationship strain and mistrust, especially if the child shares information later.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Pirates starter Mitch Keller hadn’t won since picking up a victory in his season debut March 28 in Miami, losing nine games.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
  • But the friend soon lost interest in geography, and Lilian was less enamored of the girl’s collection of mechanical pencils and scented erasers imported from Japan.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • However, the Senate plan appears to omit the line of text that would allow married borrowers not filing jointly to base payments on their own AGI, Forbes reported on Friday.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • Some trustees provided incomplete records, with group chats missing messages or with dates, times and senders for some messages omitted.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forget.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forget. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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