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 most common penalty is likely to be a section 6662 penalty—that’s 20% of the underpayment attributable to negligence (or disregard of the rules) or a substantial understatement. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The racist rhetoric, masks and disregard for anyone different are evident in both groups. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Warrantless entries by armed ICE officers and the unlawful data tracking of protesters show this administration’s willingness to disregard the Bill of Rights. Yohuru Williams, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026 The judge told the jury to disregard the outburst, and later admonished the gallery, including the family members present. Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Noun
  • The service The staff does an excellent job of balancing the refinement of a luxurious resort with a sense of casualness.
    Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Hunter saw the logic in Ake’s casualness, which as the head of a learning institution projects a warmth and informality that brings her down to earth for her unseasoned cadets.
    Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The talent to look into a mirror and not despise the person staring at me.
    Keith McNally, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This framing effectively provides a rationale for ignoring officers’ commands during field encounters.
    Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Fedorov, the new defense minister, acknowledges the scale of the problem, telling the Ukrainian parliament some 2 million people are ignoring their call-up papers, while 200,000 others have deserted.
    Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Former Patriots called out the team for not giving Mayo a fair shot, but after replacing Mayo with Mike Vrabel, all is forgiven.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Knowing this, you’d be forgiven for having difficulty differentiating one bear from another.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But her indifference to finding a suitor has got some audiences wondering if Francesca Bridgerton is gay.
    Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2026
  • What makes business rates so corrosive is their indifference.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Williams then instinctively delivered the prototypical football celebration – a headbutt – but completely forgot that his head coach no longer wears a helmet.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Do not forget Chelsea accrued in excess of £84m from winning the Club World Cup and have already brought in another £80m by progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League, with the possibility of more to come.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The many historic parallels far beyond academia should not be overlooked.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The arch would overlook the Potomac River on the other side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Its narrator performs a hazy nonchalance toward death and redemption.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Fans reminded Mendes that her significant other is in fact a Hollywood stud, despite her nonchalance to the fact.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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