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 Imagine the lawsuit: negligent security, wrongful death attempt, maybe even a defamation angle against Tom Buchanan. Aron Solomon june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025 The deckhand as well as the ship's skipper and chief engineer are all reportedly under investigation for possible multiple manslaughter and negligent shipwreck charges, but have not yet been formally accused of any crime. David Chiu, People.com, 22 June 2025 He was booked there Wednesday on suspicion of two felony counts of negligent discharge of a firearm. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 21 June 2025 The complaint alleges that negligent security practices allowed a firearm to be brought inside the ballpark. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for negligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligent
Adjective
  • As the story goes, biased or uninformed teachers call a child protection hotline, and out-of-touch caseworkers deem the parents neglectful and remove their children.
    Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
  • In one, which aired in September, 1949, the Goldbergs get a new, neglectful landlord.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • The problem isn’t that general providers are careless, but that their systems and staff simply aren’t built for these edge cases.
    Ari Raptis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • When businesses are careless and people get hurt, those businesses should be held accountable.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Giant tanks of lazy swimmers sit sandwiched between fields of cows and ponds of striped bass, carefully tended by three generations of the Evans family.
    Kylie Williams, Miami Herald, 29 June 2025
  • The water park has something for everyone—from high-speed slides and a wave pool to a relaxing lazy river and kid-only water slides.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Negligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligent. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negligent

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