ignore

verb

ig-ˈnȯr How to pronounce ignore (audio)
Definition of ignorenext
1
as in to forget
to fail to give proper attention to ignoring your health now will haunt you further down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to forgive
to dismiss as of little importance although the movie is a cinematic tour de force, one can't ignore the fact that it seriously distorts history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard, forget, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is disregard a more appropriate choice than ignore?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could forget be used to replace ignore?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can neglect be used instead of ignore?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, 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 ignore?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would slight be a good substitute for ignore?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, 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 ignore But retail, especially large global brands with complex supply chains, cannot ignore the potential knock-on implications to their business. —Scott Kelly, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025 In an effort to spur the development of affordable housing, the Live Local Act allows builders to ignore height and density caps. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025 When Friday’s jobs report turned out to be decidedly bleak, Trump ignored the warnings in the data and fired the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures. —Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025 Similarly, while some food stamp provisions remain, the narrative ignores the potential for reduced access for others, including children and pregnant women, under changes to eligibility. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ignore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore
  1. forget
  2. forgive
  3. disregard
  4. overlook
  5. neglect
  6. explain
  7. justify
  8. excuse
Verb
  • Investors forget to buy low No one is forcing anyone to purchase expensive stocks.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
  • And who wants an inefficient clean? While floors need cleaning frequently, don’t forget about other areas of your home that could use a good cleaning.
    — Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of forget
Verb
  • Part of the cost of replacing lead lines in New London is being covered by a $6.9 million federal loan, a portion of which will be forgiven.
    — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
  • On the other side, Israel’s demolition and occupation of much of Gaza has made Palestinians all the less willing to reconcile with and forgive Israel.
    — DANIEL BYMAN, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • We’re overrun by leaders who are psychopaths or sociopaths (people who disregard social norms and the rights of others).
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025
  • Even now, six months into President Trump’s second term, there’s a tendency to disregard his sometimes fiery rhetoric as mere big talk.
    — Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
Definition of disregard
Verb
  • For instance, receiving a recognition award at an annual meeting typically does little to nothing to counteract the experience of being overlooked and dismissed on the daily.
    — Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The camera would overlook nearby wildland areas, including the Rancho La Costa Preserve and Box Canyon.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • For decades, residents in the eastern part of Dearborn have felt marginalized by City Hall, saying their neighborhoods have been neglected by officials.
    — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
  • Absolutely no trip to Bradenton should neglect some time strolling on the Bradenton Riverwalk.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
Definition of neglect
Verb
  • Police officials will explain how the new police drones can be remotely deployed and piloted toward the scene of an incident from docks placed across the city.
    — Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 26 July 2025
  • Malone explained that over time, however, your brain adapts by adding more adenosine receptors, which makes caffeine less effective at the same dose.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 25 July 2025
Definition of explain
Verb
  • However, the Commission did not indicate any sudden or unexpected event that would justify the urgency.
    — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Lay of the land Advocates for the Golden Dome point to recent events to justify the program.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • But this uncertainty does not excuse us from continuing to operate our businesses.
    — PJ Bain, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • The judge also reasoned that Pryor’s failure to bring a claim in a timely manner can’t be excused by fraudulent concealment.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

ignorant
ignore
ignored
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Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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