IRRESPONSIBILITY Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

irresponsibility

noun

Definition of irresponsibility

as in malfeasance

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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

Internet sleuths, predictably, have seized on this ambiguity as proof of malfeasance.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Mosley is joined on the podcast to mull over the malfeasance by guests who have included Conan O’Brien, Jameela Jamil, Miranda Cosgrove, Lamorne Morris, Ayo Edebiri, Gayle King, JB Smoove, Nicole Byer and Matt Rogers.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Aug. 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 former child star is now suing Disney over negligence, alleging that the studio failed to protect her or investigate despite warning signs of abuse.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026
Should there be a lawsuit against the zoo’s owner for negligence?

— Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

Likewise, the fact that somebody correctly anticipated an announcement and made money does not by itself prove misconduct.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Illinois does not have independent watchdogs investigating fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or neglect in state government, agencies or public programs.

— Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

Richard Yakel, 57, is charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, resisting law enforcement, and four misdemeanors.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
But Wild struggles to make sure that its recklessness is attached to art that is consistently accomplished.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of recklessness

Browse Nearby Words

irresolution

irresponsibility

irresponsible

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Irresponsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresponsibility. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of irresponsibility

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes