Synonyms of negligence

negligence

noun

ˈne-gli-jən(t)s 

1

as in neglectfulness

failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes

exhibiting his usual negligence, he failed to set the emergency brake, and the car rolled down the steep hill and crashed into the telephone pole

Synonyms & Similar Words

• neglectfulness
• carelessness
• neglect
• omission
• laxness
• recklessness
• heedlessness
• remissness
• slackness
• dereliction
• malpractice
• misconduct
• malfeasance
• irresponsibility
• foolhardiness
• incaution
• incautiousness
• mismanagement
• rashness
• wildness
• inattention
• forgetfulness
• inadvertence
• mishandling
• delinquency
• inattentiveness
• inadvertency
• misdirection
• shortsightedness
• obliviousness
• irresponsibleness
• unwariness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care
• caution
• awareness
• carefulness
• attention
• attentiveness
• alertness
• cautiousness
• responsibility
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• observance
• circumspection
• heedfulness
• responsibleness

2

as in neglect

the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action

the factory's owners are being charged with criminal negligence for the fire that killed a dozen workers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• compliance
• fulfillment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of negligence

Protesters said that rampant graft led to negligence during renovation work at the Novi Sad station, and eventually to the canopy collapse. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Hwang had barred Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, from raising allegations of negligence by the fire department. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

If a branch damages your property, the tree owner could be responsible if negligence can be established, Enos said. — Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

The lawsuit accuses the school of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violating California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026