neglect 1 of 2

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

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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
After finishing her studies, Valdes dedicated her talents to advocating for child victims of abuse and neglect at a local nonprofit, her family shared. Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025 Huda must seethe into her makeup mirror about Jeremiah’s neglect, and Ace must hold court above the ping-pong table. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Verb
The first time, in 2021, things went haywire when elections officials neglected to clear test data from the tabulation program. David B. Caruso, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 Get Your Grill Back In Tip-Top Shape The grill is another outdoor item that can get neglected during the chillier months. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
  • Cincinnati operates 41 restrooms in its 5,000-acre system, with plans to open six in disrepair by next year.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
  • But today, the dam sits abandoned and in disrepair, officials said.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • There had to be some human hand at work engineering this great misfortune — even if only through negligence.
    The Editors, National Review, 7 July 2025
  • The lawsuit alleges negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence, according to the Connecticut Mirror. Anthony Spinella, her attorney, told the Connecticut Mirror that Ortiz was seeking $3 million in damages.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • But Eufy is way more similar to my former dogs Biff and Frank, who generally ignored me and went about their own business.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • Too many times last year the line would just ignore somebody running right at them.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
  • Some slogans and ad campaigns are quickly forgotten.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Renard was not the only one who failed to make the cut.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • In the corporate world, companies that fail to keep up with advances in hardware, software or technology platforms could face a different type of crisis: being at a competitive disadvantage in a challenging and demanding marketplace.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • One clear failure that was identified in the numerous reviews that have taken place since the shooting was a lack of accountability surrounding who was in charge that day.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
  • Smith was charged with a traffic offense - failure to yield resulting in a fatality, a source close to the situation told PEOPLE.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The Dalai Lama, however, has said that his successor will be born outside China and has urged his followers to disregard any appointment made by the Chinese Communist Party.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The Watergate scandal did inspire the creation of the Freedom of Information Act, which Gillett disregards.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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