ignore

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard, forget, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is disregard a more appropriate choice than ignore?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could forget be used to replace ignore?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can neglect be used instead of ignore?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, 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 ignore?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would slight be a good substitute for ignore?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, 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 ignore Myung-gi ignores the pleas of a player who gets stuck in the bridge’s gap and arrives at the other side with a little over a minute left on the clock. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025 Yet in California, even though progressives dominate local and state government, the equity argument has long been inexplicably ignored. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025 In reality, Eleanor Mills was largely ignored by the press, who preferred to focus on the entanglements of her upper class paramour. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025 The intent is to trick recipients into ignoring usual government advice as Iranian attacks continue. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore
Verb
  • For Americans to forget the latter, Russell seems to argue, would be a loss of identity on a national scale—something worth grieving and, indeed, something dystopian.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
  • And don’t forget the extras—there are some on point, heeled flip-flops and woven bags that truly capture the feel-good mood of summertime ease.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Quynh eventually learns to forgive Andy and move past their issues because of her newfound mortality.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 3 July 2025
  • And the nation could be forgiven for wanting to take a collective shower.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • The Dalai Lama, however, has said that his successor will be born outside China and has urged his followers to disregard any appointment made by the Chinese Communist Party.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The Watergate scandal did inspire the creation of the Freedom of Information Act, which Gillett disregards.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The rooftop bar and restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy light bites and cocktails during warmer months overlooking views of the city.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • From simply meeting expectations to overlooking key relationships, minor missteps can quietly stall your career growth.
    Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • In the aftermath of the shooting, Baldwin, whose involuntary manslaughter case was dismissed for misconduct by prosecutors, was widely criticized for neglecting to follow these guidelines.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
  • Android apps have long neglected larger form factors because Google itself was neglecting those devices.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Brad Kirner, director of destination development at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, explained in the email interview that with tourism making up around 70% of the Cook Islands’ GDP, the border closure due to COVID-19 essentially froze the economy overnight.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • This sterile male technique, previously explained to Newsweek by Texas A&M Professor Phillip Kaufman, works because female screwworm flies mate only once—flooding areas with sterile males prevents successful reproduction.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • In our opinion, this favorable trend justifies an upward revision of its valuation multiple.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In recent weeks, the Trump administration has used constitutional maneuvers invented to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act to justify using troops to round up immigrants.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
    Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
  • Students who cannot get to school and have bus stops are on a list provided by district officials can get absences excused Thursday and Friday.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignore

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