ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
: not responsible: such as
a
: lacking a sense of responsibility
b
: said or done with no sense of responsibility
irresponsible accusations
c
: unable especially mentally or financially to bear responsibility
d
: not answerable to higher authority
an irresponsible dictatorship
: a person who is irresponsible
Examples of irresponsible in a Sentence
Adjective
He's too irresponsible to keep a job for more than a week.
She made irresponsible comments that helped cause the riot.
It would be irresponsible to ignore the threats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
While opponents decried the debt package as financially irresponsible, allies of the mayor defended it as a typical and crucial way to fund basic infrastructure work.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
This reflects the struggle many women face with emotionally immature and irresponsible partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Rochelle sees her mother as irresponsible and unreliable, but Vanessa's actions are driven by her love for her children.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irresponsible
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.
Adjective
Despite creating jobs and potential environmental benefits, chronic mismanagement and escalating costs have eroded public trust, making continued taxpayer support irresponsible.
—Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
While opponents decried the debt package as financially irresponsible, allies of the mayor defended it as a typical and crucial way to fund basic infrastructure work.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
This reflects the struggle many women face with emotionally immature and irresponsible partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Rochelle sees her mother as irresponsible and unreliable, but Vanessa's actions are driven by her love for her children.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irresponsible
Cite this Entry
“Irresponsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irresponsible. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irresponsible
adjective
ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl
: not responsible : mentally inadequate to bear responsibility
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share