disregard 1 of 2

Definition of disregardnext

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
The president's disregard for the laws governing the employment of federal workers has been clear in his second term. Andrea Hsu, NPR, 3 June 2026 The Star, which also looked into the killing, revealed that Jordan’s associations with organized crime figures, as well as his apparent disregard for angering them, likely contributed to his death. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Verb
Alabama in 2017 ended the practice of judicial override and no longer allows a judge to disregard a jury’s sentencing decision in death penalty cases. Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 Fines could be issued to both organizations and members of the public who disregarded the measures, though the rollout was designed to be gradual to allow time for adjustment. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Noun
  • Seydoux also approaches her beauty with a quintessentially French casualness.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • The house did not have a European or East Coast seriousness, but rather a Californian dimension rooted in casualness, improvisation, and lack of pretension.
    Rem Koolhaas, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Though often despised, carp are exceedingly shy and difficult, and great fighters.
    Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
  • Corporate bosses and some regulators have long despised the practice of rooting for share prices to fall, but defenders say short selling creates an incentive to expose wrongdoing and acts as a check on increasingly passive stock markets.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s how Ciara found out that Amanda was spending so much time at West’s house while ignoring her calls.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 June 2026
  • Chow's son testified that the gun was pointed at him, and defense lawyer Shaun Kent said during his closing argument that Cyrus ignored Chow telling him to put it down.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Student loans, often essential, often expensive and not always forgiven, are changing once again, with new federal rules set to take effect beginning July 1 and impact students starting in fall 2026.
    Kennedy Cook, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • The runners-up route would nonetheless involve substantial travel and multiple time-zone transitions — a reminder that in 2026, a more thermally forgiving path does not necessarily mean a less demanding one.
    Alan McCall, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • Too often families like the Hostlers have been met with indifference by local authorities.
    James C Ramos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
  • Combating antisemitism is a moral imperative — one rooted, for me, in personal history that makes indifference unthinkable.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Don’t forget to use the code SUNSHINE at checkout to get the extra discount.
    Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
  • By catering to his ego, international leaders can persuade Washington to forget—or at least to ignore—past tensions.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • For Jillian and her husband, one of the most important parts of parenting Roman, 7, and Stella, 6, has been learning to see and understand forms of communication that many people might overlook.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
  • In a year where so many competing interests are fighting over a limited amount of state funds, Palm worries Shapiro's proposal may go overlooked by lawmakers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • The case for the Spurs – In this era of chronic nonchalance, Wembanyama’s willingness to care, cry, celebrate and give a darn is downright endearing.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
  • This cut is all about subtle softness and nonchalance created through layers and gently uneven ends.
    Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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