NEGLECTED Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

neglected 1 of 2

adjective

ni-ˈglek-təd

Definition of neglected

as in dilapidated

showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect a neglected teddy bear, missing one eye and both ears, shoved into the closet

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neglected

2 of 2

verb

past tense of neglect

as in ignored

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 forgot

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 failed

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

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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 neglected

Adjective

Changing their environment is more reliable and more neglected. — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Cinematographer Guillermo Garza shoots neglected settings like fine art, embracing the grime. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

On schist foundations, cautious engineers knew to build in safety features like a series of cut-off trenches and drainage pipes — a step Mulholland had neglected. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for neglected

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglected

Adjective

Instead, city staff could first more narrowly issue an order to repair a dilapidated historic building and then expedite approval for those repairs on the back end, without needing a hearing through the Historic Preservation Commission.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
The zoo, which houses more than 1,600 animals, has become dilapidated over the years.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of dilapidated

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 ignored

Verb

Investigators determined that Skinner was impaired and failed to maintain his lane before crossing over the line and colliding with the CHP cruiser.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
But those meetings ultimately failed to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which Kim has only grown.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of failed

Adjective

According to the gallery, the 25-minute film is set in a semi-abandoned hotel near Tokyo and reimagines the Greek myth of the goddess Persephone’s abduction by Hades.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
The city has been overwhelmed in recent years by an influx of abandoned and stray dogs and puppies.

— Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of abandoned

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neglected

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Style

“Neglected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglected. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of neglected

adjective

verb

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