neglect 1 of 2

1
as in disrepair
the state of being unattended to or not cared for for years the barn sat in neglect until one day it finally fell down

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action your ongoing neglect of your health is going to land you in the hospital someday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

neglect

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard, forget, ignore, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When could disregard be used to replace neglect?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When would forget be a good substitute for neglect?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When is ignore a more appropriate choice than neglect?

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is it sensible to use overlook instead of neglect?

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

in my rush I overlooked a key example

In what contexts can slight take the place of neglect?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; 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 neglect
Noun
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office found Petrocelli guilty of neglect of duty, among other issues. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 His bond was set to $3,500 altogether — $1,000 for the reckless driving charge and $2,500 for the child neglect charge — and he was released the following day. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained the decision by saying Gavi had neglected issues of vaccine safety, an accusation Gavi vigorously denies. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 21 July 2025 Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs and others with SIJS, a pathway to legal residency given to youth who arrive in the U.S. under the age of 21 and have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by a parent, were granted a status known as deferred action under a Biden-era policy. Solcyré Burga, Time, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
  • Beyond this, Sinjar remains in disrepair, and serious efforts must be made to facilitate the return of Sinjar’s residents and a secure, dignified life where the well-being and interests of Yezidis are taken into account.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Almost 70% of students within the district are low income, with parents including Williams reporting the schools are in disrepair, busing fails to meet students’ needs, academic performance is declining and students are provided outdated technology.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Police said the investigation is still ongoing, adding that no foul play or negligence is currently suspected.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • The couple is accusing the funeral homes of mishandling human remains, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
    USA Today, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • Having said that, beachgoers have already been ignoring signs and fencing to get to the beach, especially on weekends.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Investors forget to buy low No one is forcing anyone to purchase expensive stocks.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In 2022, Lenn Catley's heart began to fail because of amyloidosis, a buildup of proteins from his liver that attacked his heart.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • The program tried to learn from every hand — even the bad hands that were doomed to fail — and ended up making mostly random moves.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Critics of the strikes jumped at the opportunity to call the operation a failure, but the DIA’s product should ...
    NR Editors, National Review, 24 July 2025
  • And in fact, failure in the relays has been an ongoing sore subject for Team USA.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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