as in careless
failing to give proper care and attention
he's certainly not a neglectful father as he takes very good care of his children
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Recent Examples of neglectful
The Times described harrowingly neglectful care, and said that at least six patients had died after treatment.
—
Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Their mother was accused of being neglectful, and the family became strained in communication.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 July 2025
Hinchliffe Stadium originally opened in 1932 and hosted the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankees and the American Soccer League’s New Jersey Eagles in the late 1980s before shuttering in 1996 after many neglectful years without maintenance and upkeep.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Raised by a neglectful alcoholic father in Buffalo, N.Y.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for neglectful
Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Their mother was accused of being neglectful, and the family became strained in communication.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 16 July 2025
Hinchliffe Stadium originally opened in 1932 and hosted the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankees and the American Soccer League’s New Jersey Eagles in the late 1980s before shuttering in 1996 after many neglectful years without maintenance and upkeep.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Raised by a neglectful alcoholic father in Buffalo, N.Y.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for neglectful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglectful
Adjective
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Nobody ever did find out who was so stupid and careless enough to drop an animal trap right in front of somebody’s gate.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Agbadou has appeared sluggish and careless at the heart of defence, while Andre has lacked his customary composure in midfield.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The last lazy Sunday of summer.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Unlike Disneyland or Disney World, there is no theme park, but the resort boasts a mini water park with slides and a lazy river for all ages to enjoy.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Courts have affirmed their role in protecting organizations from negligent hiring claims, while research shows that criminal history, though an imperfect predictor, can sometimes indicate risk for misconduct in certain jobs.—
Kenneth Coats,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Administrators of both Lloyd Curtis’ and Lillian Curtis’ estates sued, claiming that Denny’s and the parties that constructed the sign were negligent.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That was enough to buy him a space on a derelict dinghy, with some 70 others, hoping soon to see England’s white cliffs.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
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Tens of millions of lives have been upended from derelict disaster response, power outages, inhumane commute times, and the housing shortage.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neglectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglectful. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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