negligent

adjective

ˈne-gli-jənt How to pronounce negligent (audio)
Definition of negligentnext
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention the youngster has been woefully negligent in taking care of the vacationing neighbor's dog, repeatedly forgetting to feed the poor animal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word negligent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of negligent are lax, neglectful, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

When is it sensible to use lax instead of negligent?

While the synonyms lax and negligent are close in meaning, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

Where would neglectful be a reasonable alternative to negligent?

Although the words neglectful and negligent have much in common, neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

In what contexts can remiss take the place of negligent?

While in some cases nearly identical to negligent, remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When can slack be used instead of negligent?

The meanings of slack and negligent largely overlap; however, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

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 negligent Longet — who claimed the shooting was an accident — was sentenced to 30 days in prison for misdemeanor negligent homicide. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026 The Alameda woman’s driving was determined to be unsafe, but not so negligent to warrant a more serious felony manslaughter charge, according to court records. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2026 The lawsuit states claims of conspiracy, negligent supervision, and interference with economic advantage. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 May 2026 The suit alleges that Good Samaritan and its doctors were negligent in their treatment of Cantrell. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for negligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for negligent
  1. neglectful
  2. careless
  3. lazy
Adjective
  • To do otherwise is neglectful and selfish.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
  • Above a certain socioeconomic threshold, not spending an extra $1,000 a year or more in the hopes of doing so could seem neglectful.
    — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • Isaiah Duncan-Simmons, 19, from Virginia Beach was booked and charged with disorderly conduct and careless damage of property by fire.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
  • Companies aren't careless—cleaning up massive repositories is genuinely painful work.
    — Philip Brittan, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Basically, the lazy person’s way to a six pack.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
  • What’s more, over the next few months, the ChatGPT users got lazier with each essay, ultimately resorting to copy-and-paste by the end of the study.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Definition of lazy

Browse Nearby Words

negligence
negligent
negligibility
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Negligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/negligent. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on negligent

Nglish: Translation of negligent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of expedite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 22

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
puzzle-piece-road
Missing Link Quiz May 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All