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 Loud phone use, rude behavior toward airport staff, and careless suitcase handling can make stressful terminals even more frustrating. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 While the tone may often feel blithely throwaway, the filmmaking is never careless. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 The Giants got away with careless ball security against the Cowboys, duly noted by the Rams. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 He was cited for careless driving, improper passing, following too closely and an unsafe lane change. — John Kelly, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
  1. unsafe
  2. neglectful
  3. reckless
  4. lazy
  5. neglecting
  6. negligent
Adjective
  • Beyond the long wait, festivalgoers say the delays led to unsafe crowd conditions, and forced many to exit the event’s opening night.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Eight structures encompassing 13 homes were deemed too unsafe to enter.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • With nowhere to put her maternal love after the loss of her son Jason, Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini) soon takes an interest in Grace, whose own mom appears to be abusive and neglectful.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • Van Lemaster, 88, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment on Friday.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In 2016, Zelich pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Gamez and one count of hiding a corpse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • If there are no bubbles or just very few small lazy bubbles, that means your oil is not hot enough.
    — Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In late June, Taylor Moton was in the middle of a lazy summer day in Charlotte.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • Bass goes to Ramanland Bass went hard after Raman at this week’s NBC4/Telemundo 52 debate, accusing her of neglecting constituents in her district, which stretches from Silver Lake to the San Fernando Valley.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of neglecting
Adjective
  • Officers arrested Mia Dawson, 20, in relation to the incident on charges of operating while impaired, reckless operation of a vehicle, hit-and-run driving, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injuring.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The rallies have become emblematic of long-simmering, intergenerational anger among people who say their calls for social and political change are going unmet by negligent governments.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of negligent

Browse Nearby Words

caregiving
careless
carelessly
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Cite this Entry

“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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