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

Examples 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 Whatever the reason, an emotionally neglectful parent harms a child’s development. Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 There was the body natural, which was often neglectful, arrogant, shy, and, when drunk, impossible to deal with, and then there was the body television, which was charming, graceful, comforting, beloved. Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024 The film presents multiple healthy and unhealthy types of parenthood — neglectful parents, tragic parents, absent parents, robot parents, single parents, military dads, bicoastal parents, dead parents, surrogate parents, grandparents, and the list goes on. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 14 June 2024 Characteristics Children growing up in neglectful families may not have access to medical care, appropriate education, food, and other necessities. Sherri Gordon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for neglectful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglectful
Adjective
  • His careless blind backhand pass in the neutral zone on a Blackhawks power play was intercepted and the Calgary Flames went down the ice to score their fifth goal of the game — and the fourth Jones was on for Monday night.
    Scott Powers, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • People with depression may be distracted on the road, have a slower reaction time, or have careless or impulsive driving behaviors, like hard braking or speeding.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Erik Kain Another lazy January Sunday is spread out before us.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Pitt made a lazy post entry pass early in the second half of Duke’s eventual 76-47 blowout win Tuesday.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • She was also charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with the death of RyLeigh, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The manager and receptionist of the hotel where Payne died, Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassi, were both charged with negligent homicide for a professional, along with Payne’s friend, Rogelio Nores, the New York Times reported.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The association has raised concerns about pollution from boats that illegally dump their waste into the bay, about the damage their anchors cause to seagrass and about the cost of dealing with derelict vessels abandoned by their owners.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 3 Sep. 2024
  • Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday gave the green light to demolish two historic but derelict buildings on East Colfax Avenue, with all but one board member agreeing the multimillion-dollar restorations would be an economic hardship to the owner.
    Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near neglectful

Cite this Entry

“Neglectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglectful. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on neglectful

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