IRRESPONSIBILITY Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

irresponsibility

noun

Definition of irresponsibility

as in malfeasance

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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 irresponsibility The fiscal irresponsibility and mismanagement of bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course President Tim Carey was the immediate cause of death. — Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 The most probable path remains the baseline he’s been describing since last fall — debt grinding steadily higher, periodically goosed by crises or political irresponsibility, but partially offset by technological progress and labor force growth. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026 California’s High-Speed Rail has devolved into a case study of bureaucratic incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 This has ensured that fiscal irresponsibility generates solid political benefits at no political cost. — Jared Bernstein, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026 That bill is a prime example and proves current lawmakers have engaged in fiscal irresponsibility, causing near state insolvency. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026 Understandably, the error prompted fiery discussions online about the irresponsibility of allowing AI systems to report and repackage the news. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026 That, of course, is second only to the fiscal irresponsibility of our city leaders. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irresponsibility

Noun

Although investigators haven’t determined a motive for the malfeasance, theories abound.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Experts have identified three possible cases of gambling malfeasance from the 2026 World Cup.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

It gets filed alongside carelessness, disorganization and not really trying, and the people who display it often apologize for it as though they’d been caught slacking.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Either this is an issue of carelessness or a lack of communication between you and the cleaning service.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of carelessness

Noun

Copyright, trade secrets, malpractice—none of it was written for this, and stretching it will only lead to unfair results.

— Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
That means our view of ourselves, in reality, also has no darkness—there can be no misidentification or malpractice of ourselves.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of malpractice

Noun

The jury determined that Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design or operation of their respective platforms, and that the negligence was a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Nuisance, negligence and harm to residents The largest set of claims in the lawsuit has to do with arguing that the data center damages residents’ health, futures and quality of life in the areas closest to the 400-acre hyperscale AI factory.

— Ilana Arougheti Updated August 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

As Johnson weighs whether to run for a second term in next year’s election, CTU is seeing former friends and allies either become enemies or distance themselves from the union’s pressure tactics and recklessness.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
The driver now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide by recklessness, officials said.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of recklessness

Noun

Don't assume that the date prominently displayed on a collection notice represents the debt's original delinquency date, though.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The misdemeanor charges at the time were one count of domestic violence, three counts of fourth-degree child abuse and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

— John Wisely, Freep.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of delinquency

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irresolution

irresponsibility

irresponsible

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“Irresponsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresponsibility. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of irresponsibility

noun

Example Sentences

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