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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 However, Boone urged us not to forget the strong performances those same relievers have achieved this season. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Having breathed in the fresh air of the mountains, affirmed his love for his girlfriend, and taken in the beautiful view, Daniel all but forgets about his fight with his mother. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025 The four-pack comes with two 4-inch and two 5-inch candles, and each one requires AA batteries for a true set-it-and-forget-it setup. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025 Down the hall, history teacher Kyle Scarbrough talked with high schoolers about the dangers of forgetting history, drawing on examples from the Book of Judges. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forget
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forget
Verb
  • Of course, sadly missing from the grand reunion that was The Grand Finale was the late Maggie Smith, who played Robert’s mother, Violet.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • An older inmate with a history of hypertension and cognitive decline went unmonitored for months, missing standard screenings that could have caught deteriorating health.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That many in the media have ignored the unit’s rise is an indictment.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Amid all its glorious and aesthetic architecture lies the massive environmental impact that cannot be ignored.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Laura, used to getting away with murder, just neglected Daniel’s imaginary corpse after conjuring it.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To stand out in an industry where social media is largely neglected, manufacturers don’t need to post daily.
    Ethan Karp, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Likely to have less impact on your buying decision (but still reside in the back of your mind) is that if one of the triple-panel fans fails, the entire triple-fan unit needs replacing, not just one fan.
    Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The new glue has impressive properties, including its ability to withstand significant forces before failing.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many journalists don’t want to lose access and are subject to coercion and intimidation that can influence their reporting.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • One side will win, and one side will lose.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fabric was omitted from the sides of the dress, curating a nod to sensuality and femininity.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Conversely, the models are generally not rewarded for expressing doubt, omitting dubious details, or requesting clarification.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forget.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forget. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forget

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