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 India may still be building its tech future, but if the unicorn count is even half right, the scale of what’s coming is hard to ignore. Catherine Baab, Quartz, 23 May 2025 Escalating matters, Daltrey and Townshend have begun to publicly gripe about each other in the firing’s aftermath, which Devours is ignoring for now. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 23 May 2025 Employees who feel misunderstood or ignored are more likely to disengage and seek opportunities elsewhere. Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The Wall Street Journal: Columbia University violated federal civil-rights law by ignoring the harassment of Jewish students by classmates, a government investigation found. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore
Verb
  • Just don’t forget to click the coupon for extra savings.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Don’t forget about your smartwatch, fitness tracker, or smart ring.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Barack Obama faced injunctions against Obamacare and Joe Biden's plan to forgive student loans was blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The Chiefs’ leader will have celebrated his 30th birthday when Arrowhead rolls out the red-and-gold carpet for Jayden Daniels & Co., but given the weird dilation of post-COVID time and the Chiefs’ watery ubiquity, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Mahomes went to high school with Sid Luckman.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Watson Coleman said that ICE attempted to delay and dissuade the lawmakers from entering the facility and ultimately disregarded their authority.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Executive overreach and disregard for the jurisdiction, independence, and Orders of courts is red meat for populist leaders and their followers.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • And for a true craft night, don’t overlook jars or vases as another creative outlet.
    Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
  • One factor that is often overlooked is that the speech must be deliverable.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The new permit contains more lax regulations, neglects to address more than 20 toxic chemicals and concerns about forever chemicals, Vallee said in a statement.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • While some clients may issue a 1099 to a contractor, it’s not required in all situations, and some neglect to do so.
    Vlad Rusz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Gilroy also explains Cassian's nod to the Force Healer. Poor, poor, poor Dedra.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 May 2025
  • Trump further explained his stance during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, which aired on Tuesday night.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Cook County Judge Angela Petrone ordered the juror, who appeared to recover, excused and subbed in one of the alternates.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Without excusing Weinstein’s thuggish qualities for a second, Evans was never the physical caricature of the studio exec.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ignore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!