disregard 1 of 2

Definition of disregardnext

disregard

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disregard distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disregard are forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

In what contexts can forget take the place of disregard?

The words forget and disregard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When would ignore be a good substitute for disregard?

While the synonyms ignore and disregard are close in meaning, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than disregard?

The words neglect and disregard can be used in similar contexts, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to disregard?

The synonyms overlook and disregard are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When might slight be a better fit than disregard?

In some situations, the words slight and disregard are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 disregard
Noun
This blatant disregard for the law during the Biden administration directly impacted community care availability and veterans’ health care access across the country. Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026 To this one can readily add ICE agents’ violations of constitutional restrictions on the use of force, breaches of their own use-of-force policies when confronting protesters, and the unconstitutional disregard of Fourth Amendment warrant restrictions. Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
In the letter, Wicker said the facility would not generate economic return, would place significant strain on local resources and disregards the concerns of the community. Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Feb. 2026 If Congress fails to impeach, convict and remove a president who so plainly disregards constitutional limits, our democracy may not survive the damage. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Noun
  • The service The staff does an excellent job of balancing the refinement of a luxurious resort with a sense of casualness.
    Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Hunter saw the logic in Ake’s casualness, which as the head of a learning institution projects a warmth and informality that brings her down to earth for her unseasoned cadets.
    Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • An unofficial list provided by the Rhode Island Invasive Species Council includes a number of aggressive plants that are widely despised by gardeners, such as Norway maple, Oriental bittersweet, Tree of Heaven, autumn olive, garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed.
    Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Part of this is internal, forgiving any part of yourself that feels bad for holding on to the hurt and comforting the younger version of yourself that is still alive inside you and vividly feeling that hurt.
    Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Englander still hasn’t forgiven Lappe for eliminating him and Sherman Oaks Little League in the 2023 regional playoffs.
    Eric Sondheimer Columnist Follow, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Let’s choose forgiveness over judgement, kindness over indifference, and bridges to one another instead of walls.
    Chick Pritchard, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
  • In October 2025, she was handed a life sentence, the court noting her indifference to the consequences of her actions.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Crazy how that works, and crazy that so many people seem to have forgotten that lesson (and many others) from their civics classes in high school.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • But even if that New Year's resolution of clearing out the basement once and for all has been forgotten or abandoned by now, the year is still young.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Noll noted that academic studies have found that estimates often overlook that a large portion of hotel and rental car revenue goes to national chains based outside the region.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Upstairs, three en suite bedrooms and a spacious game room open to a balcony featuring a double-sided fireplace that overlooks the property.
    Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Its narrator performs a hazy nonchalance toward death and redemption.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Fans reminded Mendes that her significant other is in fact a Hollywood stud, despite her nonchalance to the fact.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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