NEGLECT Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

neglect 1 of 2

noun

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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Relevance

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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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neglect

2 of 2

verb

ni-ˈglekt

as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to as usual the news media neglected the real issues of the campaign and focused on personalities

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as in to forget

to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness I've neglected my garden, and now it's overgrown with weeds

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as in to fail

to miss the opportunity or obligation conveniently, the job applicant neglected to mention his criminal record

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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

Examples 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 survey found that 87% of respondents had parents who divorced or were separated, 71% had a household member who had gone to prison, and 64% experienced a form of emotional neglect. —

Glynis Kazanjian, Baltimore Sun, 22 Nov. 2024 The park, after years of neglect, is now the recipient of a $1 billion restoration that includes new cultural spaces like the House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography. —

Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

The pair had lived a high-octane life on the road, hopping from city to city, partying, neglecting themselves but putting on bigger and better shows. —

Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024 Pretty much anytime Miguel feels hurt or neglected by Johnny, then the two come back together, it’s guaranteed to work on me. —

Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for neglect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect

Noun

In some towns, synagogues were demolished or fell into disrepair, their histories largely unrecorded.

Austin Reid, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
Though a temporary road has been constructed along the area affected by the slide, resident and parent Kathy Goudarzi said at the meeting that transportation would be essential for students if the temporary road falls into disrepair.

Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024