ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
: not responsible: such as
a
: lacking a sense of responsibility
b
: said or done with no sense of responsibility
irresponsible accusations
c
: unable especially mentally or financially to bear responsibility
d
: not answerable to higher authority
an irresponsible dictatorship
: a person who is irresponsible
Examples of irresponsible in a Sentence
Adjective
He's too irresponsible to keep a job for more than a week.
She made irresponsible comments that helped cause the riot.
It would be irresponsible to ignore the threats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
This is irresponsible legislation designed to garner publicity, attention and votes, not improve schools.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
For many adults, play may seem frivolous or even irresponsible, but research tells a different story.
—Katharine Gammon, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
While Shaban and Hatixhe make a modest but solid living, with his mother Nana (Kumrije Hoxa) carefully managing the household income, Shaban’s irresponsible, work-shy younger brother Liridon (Tristan Halilaj) is in desperate need of cash.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irresponsible
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Adjective
But their season has been ravaged by injuries enough that not buying insurance, at this point, could be irresponsible.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
This is irresponsible legislation designed to garner publicity, attention and votes, not improve schools.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
For many adults, play may seem frivolous or even irresponsible, but research tells a different story.
—Katharine Gammon, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
While Shaban and Hatixhe make a modest but solid living, with his mother Nana (Kumrije Hoxa) carefully managing the household income, Shaban’s irresponsible, work-shy younger brother Liridon (Tristan Halilaj) is in desperate need of cash.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irresponsible
Cite this Entry
“Irresponsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irresponsible. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irresponsible
adjective
ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl
: not responsible : mentally inadequate to bear responsibility
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