NEGLECTFUL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

neglectful

adjective

ni-ˈglek(t)-fəl

Definition of neglectful next

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

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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 Parents raised in authoritarian or neglectful households may struggle to break away from ingrained beliefs about discipline and respect. —

Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024 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 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