as in negligence
failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes
the only errors you made were from carelessness, not lack of knowledge
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Recent Examples of carelessness
The company has built its identity around taking AI safety more seriously than its rivals, creating sky-high expectations for model security that jar with its apparent carelessness; the fact that Mythos was exposed through such a basic and predictable failure only underscores that.
—
Robert Hart, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2026
Most bark problems come from carelessness from mowing or weed-eating too close to the tree, stripping off the bark and allowing entry.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Carl vents to Jesse and Ben, saying Kyle’s snub represents more than carelessness.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The officials’ performance reflected carelessness in the process.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Kerry Doyle, the former top ICE attorney during the Biden administration, said Mazzara’s comments show a shocking carelessness about the potential for harm against both the general public and the officers he was employed to protect.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Head coach Sean Miller went right up to him afterward, apparently angry at his carelessness that could’ve cost the Longhorns the game.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Also, of course, there was always the danger of damage in transit, of human carelessness.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Someone gets hurt, the cause points toward another person’s carelessness, and suddenly, the situation becomes legal instead of just painful.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Robert Hart, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2026
Most bark problems come from carelessness from mowing or weed-eating too close to the tree, stripping off the bark and allowing entry.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Carl vents to Jesse and Ben, saying Kyle’s snub represents more than carelessness.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The officials’ performance reflected carelessness in the process.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Kerry Doyle, the former top ICE attorney during the Biden administration, said Mazzara’s comments show a shocking carelessness about the potential for harm against both the general public and the officers he was employed to protect.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Head coach Sean Miller went right up to him afterward, apparently angry at his carelessness that could’ve cost the Longhorns the game.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
Also, of course, there was always the danger of damage in transit, of human carelessness.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Someone gets hurt, the cause points toward another person’s carelessness, and suddenly, the situation becomes legal instead of just painful.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carelessness
negligence
Noun
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His mother and young son sued in 2022, alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, and negligence.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit accused the Port of Bremerton of gross negligence and breach of contract for its failure to ensure safety at the marina.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carelessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carelessness. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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