heedlessness

noun

as in negligence
failure to take the care that a cautious person usually takes the dog's lack of protection against rabies was purely due to his owner's heedlessness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 heedlessness Holden’s moral rigor is refreshing in a cultural moment marked by an unsettling mix of cynicism and heedlessness. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 The heedlessness of the children has touched her mood. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heedlessness
  1. negligence
  2. carelessness
Noun
  • Even if the property is held in an LLC, the property manager will be personally liable for their personal negligence.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family filed a summons with notice against Durnan in Manhattan Supreme Court, accusing him of assault, gross negligence, and reckless and wanton conduct in connection with the woman’s death.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of negligence
Noun
  • It gets filed alongside carelessness, disorganization and not really trying, and the people who display it often apologize for it as though they’d been caught slacking.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Either this is an issue of carelessness or a lack of communication between you and the cleaning service.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of carelessness

Browse Nearby Words

heedlessly
heedlessness
heeds
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Cite this Entry

“Heedlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heedlessness. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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