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
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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
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careless
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.
—Staff Author Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Perry was careless with his stick in front of the Stars’ net when he high-sticked Sam Steel.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The love triangle of Buchanan, his wife, Daisy, and Gatsby ends in tragedy with Tom causing the deaths of two people to cover for Daisy’s careless driving, which had resulted in another death.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for careless
Adjective
In August 2023, using the FWC’s report on the crash, prosecutors initially charged Pino with only three counts of misdemeanor careless boating.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.
—Staff Author Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Perry was careless with his stick in front of the Stars’ net when he high-sticked Sam Steel.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The love triangle of Buchanan, his wife, Daisy, and Gatsby ends in tragedy with Tom causing the deaths of two people to cover for Daisy’s careless driving, which had resulted in another death.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
Adjective
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The driver accelerated away, making unsafe lane changes and weaving in and out of traffic, the trooper's report said.—
Madison Lambert,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
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And in low- and mid-income countries, US$110 billion is lost every year in productivity and medical expenses resulting from unsafe food, per World Health Organization (WHO) data.—
Danielle Nierenberg,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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In interviews with Christopher, his parents, an aunt and his sister, each labeled different family members as abusive or neglectful, but all said that a lot of that fell on Christopher.—
John Leland,
New York Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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Attendees will learn about what constitutes neglect, abuse and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as how to report an abusive or neglectful situation.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The suit indicates three counts of negligence and carelessness which resulted in Xavier Anderson’s death and parties should be held liable.—
Kennedy Sessions,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2025
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The jury found that Elijah’s negligence also proximately caused his death.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Keep an open mind, as an erratic square between Mars and Uranus on June 15 could shake things up in unpredictable ways and result in some reckless behavior.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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The girl’s 47-year-old stepmom is charged with child endangerment and reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle, Shelby County court records show.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Summer in New Jersey means long, lazy days at its famous beaches.—
Rachel Chang,
AFAR Media,
2 June 2025
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Dresses should feel effortless but not lazy, and easy to wear all day.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Former Cedars-Sinai Medical Center obstetrician-gynecologist Barry J. Brock has surrendered his medical license following an accusation of negligent care from the state medical board.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
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In his answer to the lawsuit, Walker contends that any liability for damages should be reduced or eliminated if it is revealed that Sevier failed to mitigate his damages and was negligent and/or comparatively at fault.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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