neglect 1 of 2

1
as in disrepair
the state of being unattended to or not cared for for years the barn sat in neglect until one day it finally fell down

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action your ongoing neglect of your health is going to land you in the hospital someday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

neglect

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard, forget, ignore, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When could disregard be used to replace neglect?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When would forget be a good substitute for neglect?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When is ignore a more appropriate choice than neglect?

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is it sensible to use overlook instead of neglect?

The synonyms overlook and neglect are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

In what contexts can slight take the place of neglect?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; however, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 neglect
Noun
Meanwhile, Casey, in jail awaiting trial initially on charges of child neglect, later upgraded to first-degree murder, was far more interested in getting her boyfriend’s phone number on a family call than discussing what had happened with her daughter. Aja Romano, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025 The suit alleges negligence, abuse or neglect of a dependent adult, loss of consortium and infliction of emotional distress. Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
But timing and balance are key—going overboard won’t speed up results, and neglecting it altogether can stall progress. Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025 For years, American national-security experts have rightly focused on addressing the rising threat from China, but wrongly neglected the threat from Russia, including this ideological menace. Michael McFaul, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
  • As noted on the Alamo website, the site fell into disrepair until the U.S. Army took it over in the 1840s as a supply hub, only to be abandoned again with the building of a more permanent military garrison at Fort Sam Houston.
    Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But the stone bridge has fallen into disrepair, with the Chicago Department of Transportation cordoning it off to pedestrian traffic in 2013.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This evidence was instrumental in establishing negligence.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Their comments came just a few weeks after a court in Argentina dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five people indicted in connection with the singer’s passing after a fall from a third-story balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina last October.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • So many of us are conditioned since childhood to believe that prioritizing ourselves is selfish, which compels us to ignore our inner voice.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Issues with citations and publisher control The CJR researchers also uncovered evidence suggesting some AI tools ignored Robot Exclusion Protocol settings, which publishers use to prevent unauthorized access.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Prescriptions: Aside from your pill bottles don’t forget your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.
    Deanna Pai, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The country singer previously featured in December 2020, two months after he was dropped from an episode after failing to take Covid precautions on a night out.
    Peter White, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Apple is required to make these changes, and failing to do so could lead to fines.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Biden was forced to embody his party's failures, but received no credit for his policy successes.
    Justin Peck / Made by History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Now, as Ukraine and its allies attempt to forge another path to peace, experts warn the failures of Minsk serve as a cautionary tale for today’s peacemakers, and that the risks of history repeating are clear.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Schumer, meanwhile, disregarded those calls, voting to advance the stopgap and bringing nine of his colleagues with him.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Pelletier is accused of disregarding the woman’s report.
    Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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