Synonyms of neglectful

neglectful

adjective

ni-ˈglek(t)-fəl 

as in careless

failing to give proper care and attention

he's certainly not a neglectful father as he takes very good care of his children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• careless
• lazy
• neglecting
• negligent
• derelict
• reckless
• remiss
• lax
• slack
• oblivious
• disregardful
• irresponsible
• forgetful
• heedless
• inattentive
• thoughtless
• delinquent
• unmindful
• uninterested
• disinterested
• indifferent
• unthinking
• apathetic
• incautious
• unconcerned
• unwary
• unguarded
• wild
• unheeding
• disregarding
• loose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• careful
• conscientious
• attentive
• meticulous
• cautious
• responsible
• punctilious
• nonnegligent
• regarding
• circumspect
• painstaking
• watchful
• vigilant
• wary
• mindful
• guarded
• chary
• observant
• alert
• thinking
• provident
• thoughtful
• interested
• concerned
• heedful
• regardful
• gingerly
• foresighted
• heeding
• forethoughtful

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

Recent Examples of neglectful

Sam, meanwhile, feels that his dad is both overbearing and neglectful of his music dreams, and tensions run high between them. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

When a property falls into disrepair — whether through abandonment, a neglectful landlord, or the owner can't keep up — neighbors start to worry about the impact on their community. —Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026

There’s an absent father and a clueless, neglectful mother but the five Gilbert children — Lydia, Hugo, Annabel, Jeremy and Rosalind — are essentially raising themselves in an English country house of secret passages and worrying infestations. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026

There’s an absent father and a clueless, neglectful mother but the five Gilbert children — Lydia, Hugo, Annabel, Jeremy and Rosalind — are essentially raising themselves in an English country house of secret passages and worrying infestations. —Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026