IGNORE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard , forget , neglect , overlook , and slight . While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. // ignored the snide remark

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

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention. // disregarded the wishes of his family

Q: When could 'forget' be used to replace 'ignore'?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. // forget what others say

Q: When can 'neglect' be used instead of 'ignore'?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, 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 'ignore'?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care. // in my rush I overlooked a key example

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

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. // slighted several major authors in her survey

ignore

verb

ig-ˈnȯr

Definition of ignore

as in to forget

to fail to give proper attention to ignoring your health now will haunt you further down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to forgive

to dismiss as of little importance although the movie is a cinematic tour de force, one can't ignore the fact that it seriously distorts history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard, forget, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is disregard a more appropriate choice than ignore?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could forget be used to replace ignore?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can neglect be used instead of ignore?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, 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 ignore?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would slight be a good substitute for ignore?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, 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 ignore The war that President Vladimir Putin unleashed on Ukraine 4½ years ago has come home and is harder to ignore. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 İnönü, resisting advice from military leaders to ignore the result, resigned from the presidency and took up a new role as the leader of the opposition in the parliament. — Nick Taborall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 As Secret Service agents responded, DeFoor ignored all commands to stop and drop the weapon, according to charging documents. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 And that’s something that many short-term investors often ignore. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore

Verb

Targets have included The New York Times in 1968, Cosmopolitan in 1972 — who can forget that sizzling hot Henry Kissinger centerfold?

— Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Those runs could have been quickly forgotten if Lauer had gotten back on track.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of forget

Verb

Those visitors might have been forgiven for wondering what a building that looked like the Starship Enterprise had to do with national self-determination.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Any remaining eligible balance may be forgiven after 25 years of qualifying payments.

— Maya Benjamin,Dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

On rare occasions the selection of award recipients has also served as a critique of public policy and institutional practices that have disregarded scientific evidence or been grounded in unscientific reasoning.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
The judge denied the mistrial motion, siding with the prosecution that the jury will be told to disregard the comments on Clancy’s faith.

— NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disregard

Verb

Travel gear deals While the bigger-ticket Labor Day weekend deals come in the form of flights and hotels, don't overlook retail sales.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Many of the 76 rooms and suites include private terraces overlooking Gran Via with the upper floor rooms facing the ornate gold dome of the Metropolis, one of Madrid’s most famous buildings.

— Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

Outdated decor makes a space feel neglected, so refresh fabrics, lighting, and colors for a modern vibe.

— Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026
But instead of investing in stronger operational support, employee retention, or product supply chains, Cornell engaged in years of stock buybacks that failed to generate shareholder value, while neglecting the company’s serious problems.

— Tejal Patel, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Long-term resource potential Technical performance alone cannot justify a project; economic balance governs actual field deployment.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments Tuesday during the second preliminary hearing since July, which is a limited purpose proceeding held for a judge to determine whether the charges are justified.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

The jury requested to be excused for the day hours after telling Judge William Sullivan that it was deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision.

— Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

ignorant

ignore

ignored

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

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Synonyms of ignore

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