1
as in unsafe
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble
a careless reporter who often doesn't get his facts straight a careless mistake that caused the plane to crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention
a careless effort that made an unnecessary mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careless
This was reckless and careless.
—
Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Bain was cited for careless driving at the time, but the charge was later dropped before Betts’ death.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
The Abington Fire Department said the fire was accidental and likely started from careless disposal of smoking materials.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
In short, think relaxed—but never careless.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Bain was cited for careless driving at the time, but the charge was later dropped before Betts’ death.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
The Abington Fire Department said the fire was accidental and likely started from careless disposal of smoking materials.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
In short, think relaxed—but never careless.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
Adjective
-
The Austrian Pavilion is probably the talk of the Biennale, featuring Florentina Holzinger’s batshit crazy, borderline unsafe performances.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
-
The test cases—meaning the HTML or other code that triggers an unsafe memory condition—are provided in each one and meet the same criteria Mozilla requires for all bugs to be considered security vulnerabilities in Firefox.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Above a certain socioeconomic threshold, not spending an extra $1,000 a year or more in the hopes of doing so could seem neglectful.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
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Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The protester who threw a garbage bin was arrested for reckless endangerment shortly after cops arrive, officials said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
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One of the reckless endangerment arrests was for a person who allegedly threw garbage at a vehicle that was unrelated to the ICE operation, according to the NYPD.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many universities make that experience as deluxe as possible, with posh amenities such as upscale dorms and lazy rivers.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
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Largely true to the novel, the first TV adaptation aims for similar endurance, like it was made for teachers to screen on a lazy Friday afternoon after a week spent discussing the book.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The doctor was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, with the court ruling his involvement in Jackson's death to be criminally negligent, per The New York Times.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, too many people and families have already had to experience the horror of injury or death at the hands of negligent drivers, including Heastie’s own constituents in the Bronx.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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