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 Yet Fulham’s restraint this summer looks strategic, not negligent. Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 Ignoring the problem of online gullibility felt irresponsible – even negligent. Sam Wineburg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025 Often, a negligent parent will also likely be a negligent partner. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Memphis reported 15,338 violent crimes last year, including 249 cases of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, according to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for negligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligent
Adjective
  • Leaning into the disco-country of much of Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter sings about a neglectful lover.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Parents, even the well-meaning ones, tend to be neglectful, or also dead.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Negligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligent. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negligent

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