disregard 1 of 2

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
Among many Filipinos, Duterte’s drug war – and his bombastic disregard for the country’s political elites – remained popular for much of his time in office. Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025 The Very Territorial Caterpillar Mr. Trump’s autocratic tendencies and disregard for constitutional norms are well documented. Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
The judge declared that a previous gag order on the proceedings had been rendered meaningless because it had been widely disregarded. Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025 In Grove Isle, the 2020 settlement disregarded a 2015 order by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Bronwyn Miller, who said Grove Isle homeowners were entitled to keep the club, restaurant and hotel amenities that were essential to Grove Isle’s appeal and their decision to live there. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disregard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard
Verb
  • The tech worker didn’t vote in the 2024 election, despising Trump but unimpressed with Kamala Harris.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Coop’s ex-wife doesn’t completely despise him, and Amanda Peet manages to give her more dimension than what’s on the page.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Wallen briefly hugged the actress but seemed to ignore the rest of the cast and quickly walked past view of the camera.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Clear communication with borrowers One can forgive borrowers for being confused in this moment.
    Preston Cooper, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, you could be forgiven for growing slightly cynical of the big pledges, glossy roadmaps, endless subsidy schemes, and constant climate conferences.
    Antoine Rostand, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With devastating indifference, President Donald Trump and his special assistant Elon Musk have crippled Food for Peace, a program few Americans have heard of, but one that did tremendous good for over six decades.
    Made by History, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The visit, marked by somber prayers and pointed criticism of global indifference, solidified his image as a pope deeply committed to social and economic justice.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Just don’t forget to include a personalized card with your cash gift of any amount!
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the riveting plot, the author teases to PEOPLE that her main character is going to be the aspect of the novel that readers aren’t likely to forget.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Makeshift tents fill the crammed courtyard, the solid edifice of the church overlooking the flimsy havens.
    CNN’s Abeer Salman and Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Ammos Greek With a terrace overlooking JBR Beach and Bluewaters Island, Ammos Greek, at Rixos Premium Dubai JBR, boasts a chic dining ambiance brimming with Aegean coastal charm.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite societal nonchalance, tuberculosis today kills up to 1.6 million globally yearly.
    Powel H. Kazanjian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Despite the change in appearance, Combs carried himself with the nonchalance of a man who was not staring down decades behind bars.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Most of Ukraine’s ravaged cultural sites are like the shelled Reims Cathedral: perhaps not directly targeted, but destroyed with ruthless unconcern.
    Jason Farago, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2022
  • Marked by the artist’s apparent unconcern with conventional modeling and draftsmanship and by the velvety smoothness of his brushwork, the paintings exude an aura of quietude and utter perfection unrivaled in the work of his peers.
    Mary Tompkins Lewis, WSJ, 26 Nov. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Disregard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disregard. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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