as in forgetful
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in ignoring
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in missing
to be unable to recall or think of
I forget exactly on which street that the house is
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neglecting
to fail to give proper attention to
she promised not to forget her high school friends after she went off to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shirking
to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness
he forgot the pot boiling on the stove
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in failing
to miss the opportunity or obligation
I forgot to call on his birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 forgetting
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
His quest to reclaim the power of writing becomes an inner journey between memory and forgetting, between a lost language and a new one, where human, emotion and meaning must be recreated anew.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
For example, in learning contexts, adaptive forgetting, or the ability to let go of irrelevant information, can actually improve cognitive performance overall.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This comes at a time of wider forgetting.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In an age of fast fading and faster forgetting, that message - stitched into every uneven hem - remains radical.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
In this arrangement, even if one learner suffers from catastrophic forgetting, the cognitive radio can still function.
—Sven Bilén, IEEE Spectrum, 23 July 2020
Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Many homeowners also expect instant results, forgetting that soft-wash treatments often continue working for several weeks after application.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026
The condition is widespread because screen use is nearly constant for many adults and kids, and small habits like forgetting to blink or sitting too close add up over a long day.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Instead of forgetting his sneakers or a racket at home, Klugo might mistakenly leave without his hearing aid’s batteries.
—Liana Handler
follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The force of the example, as Taggart explains, lies in us forgetting that Lizzo was once an oddball rapper-flautist who was anointed by Prince; an indie artist with pipes who endeared herself to mean Brooklyn gays.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
Meal plan in advance to avoid forgetting to eat.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Even remakes and adaptations of centuries-old novels are kept away from prying eyes, forgetting that everybody can look up the ending of every story ever told on Wikipedia.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 9 June 2026
The problem with ‘unforgiveness’ Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or forgetting it.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
Noun
Inside, boards blackened by smoke and sweat, the air sweet with cane and forgetting.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
His quest to reclaim the power of writing becomes an inner journey between memory and forgetting, between a lost language and a new one, where human, emotion and meaning must be recreated anew.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
For example, in learning contexts, adaptive forgetting, or the ability to let go of irrelevant information, can actually improve cognitive performance overall.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This comes at a time of wider forgetting.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
In an age of fast fading and faster forgetting, that message - stitched into every uneven hem - remains radical.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
In this arrangement, even if one learner suffers from catastrophic forgetting, the cognitive radio can still function.
—Sven Bilén, IEEE Spectrum, 23 July 2020
Verb
Still, there are some smart, well-meaning voices of caution who warn Democrats against forgetting their scruples.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Many homeowners also expect instant results, forgetting that soft-wash treatments often continue working for several weeks after application.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026
The condition is widespread because screen use is nearly constant for many adults and kids, and small habits like forgetting to blink or sitting too close add up over a long day.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Instead of forgetting his sneakers or a racket at home, Klugo might mistakenly leave without his hearing aid’s batteries.
—Liana Handler
follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
The force of the example, as Taggart explains, lies in us forgetting that Lizzo was once an oddball rapper-flautist who was anointed by Prince; an indie artist with pipes who endeared herself to mean Brooklyn gays.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
Meal plan in advance to avoid forgetting to eat.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
Even remakes and adaptations of centuries-old novels are kept away from prying eyes, forgetting that everybody can look up the ending of every story ever told on Wikipedia.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 9 June 2026
The problem with ‘unforgiveness’ Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or forgetting it.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgetting
Adjective
-
What are the most forgetful cities?—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The victim's son had said that his friends and neighbors in Alaska, where the victim was living prior to moving back to Pittsburgh, described him as forgetful and were concerned about his mental state.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Addressing Modern Behavior Patterns Verification tools such as these address behavior patterns such as preemptive ignoring, digital curiosity, and selective responsiveness, all of which have become more common in recent years.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ohtani returned to the lineup for the Dodgers’ 7-1 win against the White Sox, after exiting the game Thursday at Pittsburgh and missing Friday‘s game because of inflammation in his left knee.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Police responded to the theft on Friday night, and while footwear was among the items stolen, none of the missing equipment was considered essential for the team to play.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Dolin notes that many caregivers begin neglecting their own health, relationships and self-care routines.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
-
Chelsea was arrested three times between September and November 2024 in Wisconsin, beginning with a September 2024 arrest on multiple felony charges, including neglecting a child and possession of methamphetamine.—
Anna Myers,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Alejandro Moreno, the president of the PRI party that ruled Mexico for decades, criticized Sheinbaum’s administration for failing to protect local politicians.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Eldridge homered for a third straight game, the latest being his fifth home run of the season, but San Francisco fell 5-1 to the Chicago Cubs on Friday evening at Oracle Park, the latest instance of this team failing to carry the momentum from a momentous moment.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, many bettors are unaware of the unique tax consequences when gambling on sports that can leave many bettors with a large tax bill at the end of the year.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
In the midst of Parker's relationship with Griffin in 2019, Prior was helping her with some medical bills and was unaware of Parker making big purchases with her new boyfriend.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
What makes the Olsen twins stand out from that era is their complete disregard for those conventions.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
-
To then have individuals exploit that tragedy for personal gain demonstrates a complete disregard for basic human decency.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forgetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgetting. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
