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

Irene Perretta died in 2025 at 80 years old after being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus, according to a negligence lawsuit filed by her family. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Dozens of passengers and crew on the flight that aborted after the man jumped the airport’s perimeter fence in May are suing the airport, the city and two related companies for negligence and wrongful death. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2026

The lawsuit accuses Cornell and the other defendants of breach of contract, negligence and violations of state law. — Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Zerfas referred the incident to Placer County District Attorney Morgan Briggs Gire for possible prosecution as misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, with no gross negligence involved. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026