Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglectful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of neglectful are lax, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

When can lax be used instead of neglectful?

The meanings of lax and neglectful largely overlap; however, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When might negligent be a better fit than neglectful?

While the synonyms negligent and neglectful are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

Where would remiss be a reasonable alternative to neglectful?

The words remiss and neglectful can be used in similar contexts, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When is it sensible to use slack instead of neglectful?

The words slack and neglectful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 neglectful While Gensler’s assessment has merit, the idea that crypto is merely a speculative playground with no fundamental value is neglectful and outdated. Edan Yago, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Buy Now 12 of 15 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl Precocious bookworms everywhere found a kindred spirit in Matilda, a little girl with neglectful parents and a loving teacher who takes on a terrorizing headmistress with her special powers. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 Keepers of the Wild, Valentine This wildlife refuge along Historic Route 66 northeast of Kingman is home to hundreds of animals rescued from neglectful and abusive situations. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2025 So many negative family cycles—such as unhealthy communication or neglectful parenting patterns—are fueled by unresolved pain or frustration over past events. Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for neglectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglectful
Adjective
  • The Heat committed 14 turnovers, several of them particularly careless, and shot just 9 for 37 (24.3 percent) on threes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Nests are usually placed on a horizontal conifer branch less than 10 feet above the ground, which makes sense, given the careless, rickety appearance of their design.
    Matt Kracht, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On Facebook, the city government shared images of cracks in the walls of the lazy river, rust in the mechanical room and chipping concrete on a pedestrian bridge.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025
  • In contrast to Joe Biden, Trump is not a traditional Atlanticist, views many of Washington's security arrangements in Europe as either antiquated or unfair, and tends to scoff at the European theater writ-large as lazy teenagers who take their parent's support for granted.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, in one that went to trial, a jury determined that Chart and Pacific Fertility Center had been negligent and awarded five former patients a total of $15 million.
    Alexandra Chaidez, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • And first assistant director Dave Halls pled no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon and was given six months probation.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Today, many are boarded up, lying forlorn and derelict or caught in legal tangles between former owners’ descendants; others have been demolished to make way for modern developments, with the antiques and timber sold off by owners.
    Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This season, the collection embraces the rough poetry of derelict architecture and the passing of time.
    Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Neglectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglectful. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on neglectful

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