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
Relevance
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
Morrissey stole goals from the Blues and scored one himself, but those other veterans making careless plays with their sticks can’t say the same.
—
Murat Ates, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Too much pressure, the wrong nozzle or a careless technique can cause real damage to siding, windows and wood surfaces.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Murat Ates, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Too much pressure, the wrong nozzle or a careless technique can cause real damage to siding, windows and wood surfaces.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
Adjective
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Lawmakers say many out-of-state drivers are linked to unpaid speeding tickets and unsafe driving.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the encampment problem on the Northwest Side has become unsafe, untenable and unchanging.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was later charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
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But his hands-down, semi-reckless style typically gives opponents a high offensive floor early in the fight, which has always been a concern of mine.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Spend lazy days pier fishing, shell hunting, dining on iconic, Calabash-style seafood, and savoring spectacular sunrises and sunsets.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
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Did private lenders, tempted by ever fatter profits, get a little lazy in vetting borrowers?—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The couple is accusing American Airlines of eight separate counts, including negligence, negligent training and defamation.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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Tom and Hussein were then arrested and booked into jail for negligent discharge, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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