Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of negligent are lax, neglectful, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use lax instead of negligent?

While the synonyms lax and negligent are close in meaning, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

Where would neglectful be a reasonable alternative to negligent?

Although the words neglectful and negligent have much in common, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can remiss take the place of negligent?

While in some cases nearly identical to negligent, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When can slack be used instead of negligent?

The meanings of slack and negligent largely overlap; however, 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 negligent In the civil lawsuit, Babbitt's estate alleged U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd was negligent in the issue of force and his firearm. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 May 2025 That argument seemed to resonate with jurors who, given the option of convicting Allison of murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, opted for the lowest of those three charges: criminally negligent homicide. Chris Spargo, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Brian Tyler McGee was sentenced to 4½ years, with two years suspended, after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident without assisting an injured person in the 2021 death of Chase Bowerson, the Alaska Department of Law said in an April 25 news release. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The hospital, located about a 35-mile drive northeast from Atlanta, and Piedmont Healthcare are also negligent in Maya’s death, according to the complaint. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for negligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligent
Adjective
  • Below, a few of my favorite books about bad mothering, from the benignly neglectful to the downright evil.
    Sarah Harman, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • Speaking of the Senate: That chamber on Monday fully passed Senate Bill 20, which seeks to crack down on chronically neglectful landlords by allowing government authorities to temporarily take control of run-down apartment buildings.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Although Hill initially received two tickets for careless driving and not wearing a seat belt, they were dismissed after the officer who cited him didn’t show up to the Miami-Dade traffic hearing.
    C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • Of those fires, 90% were caused by careless human activity, the agency said.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • According to plans that seem about as fluid as a lazy river, this is the last year of the race at Pimlico, as it is currently constructed … or deconstructed.
    John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • About The Free Admission Offer The two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park are filled with rides, a lazy river, a wave pool, multiple dining options, and more.
    Megan duBois, Southern Living, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Negligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligent. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negligent

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