careless

adjective

ˈker-ləs How to pronounce careless (audio)
Definition of carelessnext
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

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 careless That said, a pattern of careless errors or intentionally misleading claims are more likely to accrue penalties. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Trost has a past conviction of reckless driving and a lengthy history of civil traffic infractions, including careless driving, speeding, running a stop sign and running a red light, court records show. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026 Entering a magazine sweepstakes does not make anyone careless. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
  1. unsafe
  2. neglectful
  3. reckless
  4. lazy
  5. negligent
Adjective
  • Her doctor advised her to stop clinical hyperpigmentation treatments for her dark spots and uneven skin tone as some ingredients could be unsafe to use while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That authority is normally used to remove unsafe products from the market, not fast-track them.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • Parents could be accused of neglectful supervision if an underage child is left at home unattended.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
  • While not every nursing home fosters a neglectful or abusive environment, these conditions can thrive at facilities that are understaffed.
    — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • He was charged with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, the NYPD said, according to NBC News.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The unlicensed doctor who runs the clinic, Luis Rojas Cabrera, was arrested for practicing without a license and reckless endangerment.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Traditional lazy Susans only work on round tables -- enter The Lazy Susan Revolution, a patented system designed specifically for long, rectangular and oval tables, bringing every dish within reach of every guest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Most of my procrastination stems from being too lazy to expertly fold my clothes properly in my suitcase to avoid wrinkles.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • Miller’s lawsuit alleges six counts, including negligent infliction of emotional distress and assault and battery.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • The suit alleges breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and negligent misrepresentation and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
    — Chaewon Chung July 24, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of negligent

Browse Nearby Words

caregiving
careless
carelessly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on careless

Nglish: Translation of careless for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All