Synonyms of neglect

neglect 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disrepair
• dilapidation
• negligence
• inattention
• abandonment
• seediness
• desolation
• deterioration
• desertion
• decay
• disintegration
• decrepitude
• ruin
• ruination
• dereliction
• dumpiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repair
• conservation
• preservation
• keeping
• upkeep

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

• negligence
• failure
• oversight
• default
• delinquency
• nonfeasance
• dereliction
• carelessness
• misprision
• inadvertence
• laxity
• inadvertency
• heedlessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• compliance
• fulfillment

neglect

2 of 2

verb

ni-ˈglekt 

1

as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to

as usual the news media neglected the real issues of the campaign and focused on personalities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignore
• forget
• disregard
• overlook
• miss
• pass over
• slight
• bypass
• reject
• omit
• slur (over)
• fail
• overpass
• disdain
• skimp
• brush (aside or off)
• scorn
• scant
• slough (off)
• shrug off
• sluff (off)
• pooh-pooh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tend (to)
• regard
• appreciate
• attend (to)
• heed
• mind
• treasure
• remember
• foster
• value
• prize
• cultivate
• nurse
• cherish
• nurture
• listen (to)
• follow
• notice
• watch
• observe
• note
• pamper
• mark
• remark

2

as in to forget

to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness

I've neglected my garden, and now it's overgrown with weeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forget
• shirk
• slack (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remember
• do
• attend (to)
• perform
• carry out
• achieve
• accomplish
• maintain
• execute
• keep up

3

as in to fail

to miss the opportunity or obligation

conveniently, the job applicant neglected to mention his criminal record

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forget
• fail
• omit
• ignore
• disregard
• miss out on
• slight
• pass over
• overlook
• pretermit
• slide
• skip
• default
• slip
• overpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remember
• do
• keep
• mind
• observe
• practice
• perform
• carry out
• heed
• satisfy
• execute
• meet
• fulfill
• discharge
• comply (with)

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

Recent Examples of neglect

Noun

Manslaughter by neglect, on the other hand? —Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026

Debates about which types of authority figures should be mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect ended in one proposal’s failure and another’s advancement Wednesday at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre. —Seth Tupper & John Hult, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026

Verb

The state has neglected its responsibility. —Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026

One cause that is particularly close to her heart is Childhelp — an organization that was created to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026