NEGLECT Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard , forget , ignore , overlook , and slight . While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention. // habitually neglected his studies

Q: When could 'disregard' be used to replace 'neglect'?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention. // disregarded the wishes of his family

Q: When would 'forget' be a good substitute for 'neglect'?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. // forget what others say

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

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. // ignored the snide remark

Q: When is it sensible to use 'overlook' instead of 'neglect'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'slight' take the place of 'neglect'?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; however, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. // slighted several major authors in her survey

neglect 1 of 2

noun

Definition of neglect

as in disrepair

the state of being unattended to or not cared for for years the barn sat in neglect until one day it finally fell down

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in negligence

the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action your ongoing neglect of your health is going to land you in the hospital someday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

neglect

2 of 2

verb

ni-ˈglekt

as in to ignore

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 to forget

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 to fail

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of neglect are disregard, forget, ignore, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When could disregard be used to replace neglect?

In some situations, the words disregard and neglect are roughly equivalent. However, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When would forget be a good substitute for neglect?

While the synonyms forget and neglect are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When is ignore a more appropriate choice than neglect?

The words ignore and neglect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is it sensible to use overlook instead of neglect?

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

in my rush I overlooked a key example

In what contexts can slight take the place of neglect?

The meanings of slight and neglect largely overlap; 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 neglect

Noun

The woman was not named in the statement, has been charged with neglect of a dependent. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Also considered in the charges, according to the documents, was that the neglect took place in front of children. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

The latter was important to Kaphar, who wanted to provide the sort of practical education about sustaining a career that art schools often neglect. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Kayla Stemler, 28, was accused in November of neglecting the child, then 14, who was found weighing 35 lbs. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for neglect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect

Noun

But photographs accompanying the current listing show an interior still in various states of disrepair, including peeling paint, exposed framing and lath.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Urgent repair projects will be delayed, construction costs will multiply, and the visitor experience will inevitably decline as facilities fall into disrepair, risking the safety of millions of tourists and residents alike.

— Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrepair

Noun

Earlier this year, two men, Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson, sued DraftKings, FanDuel and other companies for negligence, design defect, failure to warn, unfair trade practices and related claims.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
After the crash, Bustillos was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

— Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of negligence

Verb

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez provided the margin to prevent a tie, which under House rules is the same as a measure failing outright.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
Multiple attempts at negotiating with Lille remotely had failed to bring about a club-to-club agreement.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of fail

Noun

The failures resulted in a divorce during the offseason and this exhibition game at Hard Rock Stadium was the first time the couple happened to be at the same place at the same time since the split.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
For five months, these players have underperformed, much to the chagrin of their front offices and the fans, who repeatedly boo their failures.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

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

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Synonyms of neglect

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