DISREGARD Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'disregard' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disregard are forget , ignore , neglect , overlook , and slight . While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," disregard suggests voluntary inattention. // disregarded the wishes of his family

Q: In what contexts can 'forget' take the place of 'disregard'?

The words forget and disregard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. // forget what others say

Q: When would 'ignore' be a good substitute for 'disregard'?

While the synonyms ignore and disregard are close in meaning, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. // ignored the snide remark

Q: When is 'neglect' a more appropriate choice than 'disregard'?

The words neglect and disregard can be used in similar contexts, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention. // habitually neglected his studies

Q: Where would 'overlook' be a reasonable alternative to 'disregard'?

The synonyms overlook and disregard are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care. // in my rush I overlooked a key example

Q: When might 'slight' be a better fit than 'disregard'?

In some situations, the words slight and disregard are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. // slighted several major authors in her survey

disregard 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disregard

as in casualness

lack of interest or concern revelers firing guns in the air with complete disregard for the possible consequences

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disregard

2 of 2

verb

ˌdis-ri-ˈgärd

as in to despise

to ignore in a disrespectful manner disregarded the wishes of his tradition-conscious family in his choice of a bride

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to disregarded the posted warnings of avalanche danger and went skiing anyway

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to forgive

to dismiss as of little importance this essay is so good that I can safely disregard a couple of spelling errors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disregard distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disregard are forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

In what contexts can forget take the place of disregard?

The words forget and disregard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When would ignore be a good substitute for disregard?

While the synonyms ignore and disregard are close in meaning, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than disregard?

The words neglect and disregard can be used in similar contexts, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to disregard?

The synonyms overlook and disregard are sometimes interchangeable, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When might slight be a better fit than disregard?

In some situations, the words slight and disregard are roughly equivalent. 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 disregard

Noun

Who can assure these attorneys that, in some future Administration, they won’t be told to disregard court orders? — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Experts blame the high toll on unsafe vehicles, widespread disregard for traffic regulations and inadequate emergency services. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Verb

China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of disregarding facts and misleading the public. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Attorneys for the Wilton Rancheria have argued that the 2017 agreement explicitly said the tribe’s code would govern labor relations at the casino, and disregarding that labor code would disregard the tribe’s sovereignty. — Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disregard

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disregard

Noun

The painting’s joyful casualness belies its subject matter, clues to which can be found in the coyote on one of the men’s shirts and in the work’s title, Uncle’s Crossing (2022).

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
For most, though, the dress is business casual, matching the growing casualness of their behavior in the box over the course of long sessions.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of casualness

Verb

In fact, many voters in his Southern Illinois district despise him.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of despise

Verb

Never forget that Harkness was once a CIA operative and perhaps served a higher calling before creating his own mercenary network and taking jobs for monied sleazebags like Cantor.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Fire comes where there’s no water, but everyone forgets that.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of forget

Noun

That man, Sana founder-CEO Joel Hellermark, leans back into his chair and smiles, throwing one leg over the other with the nonchalance of a man half Bhusri’s age.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
There’s something quietly captivating and a little uncomfortable about the pavement snaps of girlhood; some teens accompanied by mothers, others affecting nonchalance, or standing on their hands to get attention.

— Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nonchalance

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

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Synonyms of disregard

noun

verb

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