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 The complaint, which has been reviewed by EW, also accuses the singer of assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, creating a hostile work environment, and several labor code violations. Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 8 May 2025 Teresa Louise Biswanath, 46, was sentenced to two years behind bars after a jury convicted her of criminally negligent homicide, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office said in a May 13 news release. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2025 The mother was charged with four counts of first-degree domestic violence, aggravated child abuse, abuse of a corpse and criminally negligent homicide. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 14 May 2025 The author, who publishes under the last name Lauren, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse, pleading not guilty to felony charges for willful discharge of a firearm in a gross negligent manner and assault of a person with a semiautomatic firearm. Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for negligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligent
Adjective
  • In interviews with Christopher, his parents, an aunt and his sister, each labeled different family members as abusive or neglectful, but all said that a lot of that fell on Christopher.
    John Leland, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Attendees will learn about what constitutes neglect, abuse and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as how to report an abusive or neglectful situation.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • State troopers cited the truck driver who caused the crash, a 57-year-old Texas man, for careless driving causing injury, according to the agency.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
  • Edmund Richard Hartley, 31, the yacht captain towing Adler and another girl, was charged with four counts of careless boating, including one count for not having a lookout to keep an eye on the girls.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Summer in New Jersey means long, lazy days at its famous beaches.
    Rachel Chang, AFAR Media, 2 June 2025
  • Dresses should feel effortless but not lazy, and easy to wear all day.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Negligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negligent

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