neglect 1 of 2

Definition of neglectnext
1
as in disrepair
the state of being unattended to or not cared for for years the barn sat in neglect until one day it finally fell down

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action your ongoing neglect of your health is going to land you in the hospital someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

neglect

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard, forget, ignore, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When could disregard be used to replace neglect?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When would forget be a good substitute for neglect?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When is ignore a more appropriate choice than neglect?

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is it sensible to use overlook instead of neglect?

The synonyms overlook and neglect are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

In what contexts can slight take the place of neglect?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; however, 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 neglect
Noun
Among the grounds listed are fraud, embezzlement, theft, misappropriation of district resources, breach of fiduciary duty, neglect of duties, criminal convictions, violations of law, policy violations, dishonesty, insubordination and failure to perform contractual obligations. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026 Authorities alleged there was evidence of severe neglect, including emaciation, untreated injuries and a lack of basic care. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026
Verb
Sherman points out that neglecting your filters can lead to more serious issues down the line. Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 20 June 2026 The pact has largely been neglected as Accra and Abidjan disagreed over a number of issues, including pricing. Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
  • It was originally built as a private cabin resembling a ship in the 1970s but had fallen into disrepair, which led her to christen the property the Shipwreck.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
  • Detroit neighborhoods emptied out and fell into disrepair.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The motion does not address the core negligence and wrongful death claims stemming from the crash itself but seeks to dismiss claims related to emergency dispatch and allegations Riverside County officials failed to protect the victims after the collision.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
  • Charges have since been dismissed against three, including Nores — all of whom were accused of negligence.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.
    Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Its origins are uncertain, with one tale suggesting that a cook at Manzanillo’s mercado left a pot of pozole over fire and forgot it.
    Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The biggest transaction of his tenure occurred when Shohei Ohtani left the Angels after six seasons for the Dodgers in late 2023, the Angels failing to trade Ohtani for prospects before Ohtani became a free agent.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • Twice already, in November of 2025 and February of this year, the seven states involved in re-negotiating water rights and use along with the 100-year old treaty kicked the can down the road and failed to come to an agreement on water sharing.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Taking the midway point of those numbers, an opening weekend of $45 million would be a monumental failure.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Then came this spring’s historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways.
    Tammy Webber, Fortune, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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