careless

adjective

ˈker-ləs How to pronounce careless (audio)
Definition of carelessnext
1
as in unsafe
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble a careless reporter who often doesn't get his facts straight a careless mistake that caused the plane to crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention a careless effort that made an unnecessary mess

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 careless Of course, physicians are not beyond reproach and should be held accountable when care is careless, harmful, or below the standard our patients deserve. — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 Former Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders was arrested June 8 and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving in Pittsburgh, according to CBS. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 His belief is not that relationships should become less professional or emotionally careless. — K.h. Koehler, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Two other teens were cited for careless driving and performing risky stunts in a retail parking lot. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
  1. unsafe
  2. neglectful
  3. reckless
  4. lazy
  5. negligent
Adjective
  • The North Lawn tenants had been involved in a yearslong dispute with multiple landlords over unsafe living conditions.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Well-loved and used items that are broken, damaged beyond repair, unsafe, or heavily stained or soiled should be thrown out.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • Still, Duncan on Friday argued that the move is a mistake that empowers neglectful landlords and fails tenants.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Played by Rhea Perlman alongside her real-life husband Danny DeVito, the beauty and bingo-obsessed matriarch was pretty neglectful.
    — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • Pearson faces charges of second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a safety certificate and failure to keep a proper lookout.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The other two teens were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • People get lazy, reusing passwords or pseudonyms or crypto wallets.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the lazy days of summer fade and little ones return to school, autumn invites an air of academia.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent for designing their apps in ways that caused children to become addicted and suffer mental-health harms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Under Assembly Bill 2, social media companies could face fines of up to $1 million per child for negligent harm.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of negligent

Browse Nearby Words

caregiving
careless
carelessly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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