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as in to neglect
to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness he forgot the pot boiling on the stove

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word forget distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of forget are disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can disregard be used instead of forget?

While in some cases nearly identical to forget, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could ignore be used to replace forget?

The words ignore and forget can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When might neglect be a better fit than forget?

In some situations, the words neglect and forget are roughly equivalent. However, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When would overlook be a good substitute for forget?

Although the words overlook and forget have much in common, overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to forget?

The synonyms slight and forget are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 forget Many individuals said that wedding guests often forget to take home wedding favors anyway, so if the soaps are placed in a basket or on tables then they may be naturally left at the celebration. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025 But in spite of the underwhelming box office, the Thunderbolts (or New Avengers) haven't been forgotten by Disney or Kevin Feige. Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025 My strengths are my vision for the city, my goals to cast a light on those not seen or heard and bring those forgotten into the future with Charlotte. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025 And who wants an inefficient clean? While floors need cleaning frequently, don’t forget about other areas of your home that could use a good cleaning. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forget
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forget
Verb
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Critics like me might grouse on the sidelines about a film's narrative arc or a documentary's missing moments.
    Eric Deggans, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This isn’t about weakening rights or ignoring the role of guns.
    For the Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Or Joe Biden when Putin ignored his warnings and invaded Ukraine in 2022.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, don’t neglect fruits and veggies, both of which are high in important vitamins and minerals.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Aug. 2025
  • John Cleese shows up as a pirate and tries to make a call from a payphone on the ship, while his parrot, who is in love with him, gripes that Cleese is neglecting her and should take her to dinner with all his doubloons.
    Sophie Brickman, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Crucially, many systems still fail to consider complexities like second marriages, age diversity, regional variation or cross-cultural compatibility.
    Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • And residents who fail to remove water from outdoor receptacles could face fines and the possibility of having their electricity turned off.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Without proper planning, that wealth is at risk of being lost or tied up in costly disputes.
    Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As a leading English-language news platform, choosing to omit this story from the front pages of your publication implicates you in the mass deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, who are now entering their 22nd month of unrelenting attacks.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
  • This is not a wedding, where it would be pointed to omit them.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forget.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forget. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forget

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