NEGLECT Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

neglect 1 of 2

noun

Definition of neglect

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

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 boat’s owner and captain later pleaded guilty to a federal charge of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 The operator of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor, leaving a mother and her baby daughter dead, has been charged federally with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, federal prosecutors said. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Simone has no interest in going back to Buffalo to care for her father after her traumatic childhood that often left her neglected, hungry, and dirty. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 6 Aug. 2026 But the directive conspicuously neglects to mention local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with data centers. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for neglect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect

Noun

The hotel itself, which had opened as a motor lodge in the 1950s and then transformed into a Southwestern roadside hotel, had also fallen into disrepair.

— Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Originally commissioned by Ottoman admiral Barbarossa, this incredible bathhouse once derived its name from the famous Iznik tiles that used to cover its surface, but fell into disrepair.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrepair

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

Verb

And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

Bret complains about how quickly the school forgets Matt Kellner following his disappearance, but The Shards appears equally unmoved by him.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
All your zillennial and millennial friends, now adults with car insurance and vigorous SPF routines, have been watching cozy, faintly dissociative teen dramas in order to forget their troubles.

— Daisy Jones, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of forget

Verb

But in almost every case, Spurs failed to sell at the right time.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
The Minnesota United midfielder failed on two penalty kicks in a draw with UANL Tigres on Friday, but the Argentine totaled two goals and an assist in a 3-1 win over Atlante in the third and final Leagues Cup match Tuesday at Allianz Field.

— Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fail

Noun

There was widespread concern in San Antonio last fall that a failure to approve a new arena could open the door for the Spurs to relocate to Austin.

— Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Reports vary on the exact level of success or failure of Meghan's brand As Ever, but the jam, flower sprinkles and scented candles have become a bit of a joke.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

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“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of neglect

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