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
Every loss will be a confirmation of their disregard for you. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025 This trait is associated with lack of empathy, impulsivity, shallow emotions and a disregard for social norms and others’ well-being. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
Crediting a single family with the invention of the genre oversimplifies country music's complex history and disregards the contributions of multiple ethnic groups. Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 And if the expansionists prevail, the customer is being disregarded at alarming levels here. Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Verb
  • On state television, tightly controlled by the Kremlin, Washington’s U-turn on providing weapons to Ukraine has been roundly slated, with President Trump being compared to his presidential predecessor, widely despised in Russia.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • What Gauguin despised was the misapplication of religion, not religion itself.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • Having said that, beachgoers have already been ignoring signs and fencing to get to the beach, especially on weekends.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • May Allah Almighty forgive your shortcomings and grant you the highest ranks of Jannah.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • There’s nothing about Joker that forgives or champions Joker’s behavior, and while the whole movie may not be as terrific as its most inspired sequences, Phoenix and director Todd Phillips capably present a new way to think of this monster.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Super-sized Opportunities Workplace crises can be proactively prevented (or eventually explained) by tackling incentives, incompetence and indifference with stewardship, capability and care.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Causing a Stink After asking the dog's owner, Rick, to address the issue, the original poster (OP) was met with indifference.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • People sometimes forget that being a legendary vocalist means more than just hitting the right notes.
    Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • Both Dunn’s and Watt’s stories exemplify two former standout NFL players who reached the pinnacle of their professions yet never forgot their humble beginnings, continuing to remain empathetic and grounded.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Hussain said her family now lives in a house that’s overlooked by seven neighbors to feel protected.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Continuous Measurement Of Value: Real-time value tracking is essential but often overlooked.
    Pawan Vadapalli, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Never too retro, never too futuristic — these perfect day-to-night shades will add a touch of French nonchalance to any outfit.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • His red-carpet looks don’t project nonchalance but non-anxiety.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Whatever the reason, Maxwell’s strength and the shark’s apparent unconcern put one of Maxwell’s friends in danger.
    Donald Millus, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
  • But the other pole, blithe unconcern, carries its own dangers.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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