disregard 1 of 2

disregard

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disregard distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disregard are forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

In what contexts can forget take the place of disregard?

The words forget and disregard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When would ignore be a good substitute for disregard?

While the synonyms ignore and disregard are close in meaning, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than disregard?

The words neglect and disregard can be used in similar contexts, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to disregard?

The synonyms overlook and disregard are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When might slight be a better fit than disregard?

In some situations, the words slight and disregard are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 disregard
Noun
But the case spotlights the German lender’s culture of operating with a disregard for reputational risk. Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 In the build-up to this scene, Jordan has a clash with the head of student life about their gender identity, and the school’s intentional disregard of their experience and language around it. Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
This disregards their income or net worth. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 Any naysaying about the $130 million-$140 million risk of Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed A CinemaScore Leonardo DiCaprio movie One Battle After Another underperforming can be disregarded, as Warners was able to afford that audacious auteur swing. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Noun
  • Besides, that gives a bit of camaraderie and casualness to exudes fun, rather than stress.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
  • With all, the charm lies in that tension between formality and casualness.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both brothers despise their father, for good reason.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The fact that the film is named after its subject’s most beloved — and most despised by Hart himself — hit tells you everything.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleges Parker ignored concerns raised by several teachers and staff members, including that the student may have had a gun in his possession hours before the shooting.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, they’d merely been habituated, the way a bird learns to ignore a rhino.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump will need to hope for hostilities to be short-lasting, or for these voters to be forgiving.
    Javier Corrales, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • He could have been forgiven for getting a bit discouraged.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The amendment changes the theory of the case from reckless indifference to intentional misconduct, according to the family’s lawyers, which could raise the damages awarded to the family.
    Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The risk of reverting to a political reality of indifference to occupation and permanent conflict is too great.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But will bringing back David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and other legacy actors be enough to make audiences forget about Melissa Barrera’s firing?
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • When vacuuming, don’t forget small spaces under the oven, between the counter and fridge, and areas under furniture that are likely to trap dirt.
    Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The duo hope to use their data background to show global trends and narratives around rising anti-democratic sentiment by compiling and reporting on public data that often gets overlooked or underanalyzed.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The interior ledges overlook restaurants, gift shops, and the aforementioned monorail station.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As the band, featuring a few American jazz artists, struck up the easy, bluesy opening chords, a surprise guest singer seemed to be all about adopting Frank Sinatra’s Vegas nonchalance.
    Martin Schram, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
  • These from Jenni Kayne carry the designer’s signature Californian nonchalance with a frayed edge.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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