Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglectful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of neglectful are lax, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

When can lax be used instead of neglectful?

The meanings of lax and neglectful largely overlap; however, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When might negligent be a better fit than neglectful?

While the synonyms negligent and neglectful are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

Where would remiss be a reasonable alternative to neglectful?

The words remiss and neglectful can be used in similar contexts, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When is it sensible to use slack instead of neglectful?

The words slack and neglectful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

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 neglectful The Times described harrowingly neglectful care, and said that at least six patients had died after treatment. Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 Their mother was accused of being neglectful, and the family became strained in communication. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 July 2025 Hinchliffe Stadium originally opened in 1932 and hosted the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankees and the American Soccer League’s New Jersey Eagles in the late 1980s before shuttering in 1996 after many neglectful years without maintenance and upkeep. Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 10 July 2025 Raised by a neglectful alcoholic father in Buffalo, N.Y. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for neglectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglectful
Adjective
  • For instance, an officer or insurance adjuster might claim your lack of footwear contributed to reckless or careless driving, and the matter could even be brought up in court or during an insurance review.
    Georgea Kovanis, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This Earth sign can be quite the perfectionist, preferring order and discernment over anything remotely vague and careless.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Forest walks, lazy lake days, midday swims, and evening bonfires are a part of your regular day.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Leaving the area removes temptation to touch the firearm and reduces danger of negligent injury from another person.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In December, the 61-year-old was found guilty of DUI, negligent driving, failure to control speed to avoid a collision and failure to notify of a change in address, but she was acquitted of reckless driving, following a March car accident, the state's attorney's office previously confirmed.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That was enough to buy him a space on a derelict dinghy, with some 70 others, hoping soon to see England’s white cliffs.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Tens of millions of lives have been upended from derelict disaster response, power outages, inhumane commute times, and the housing shortage.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Neglectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglectful. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on neglectful

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