NEGLECTFUL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'neglectful' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of neglectful are lax , negligent , remiss , and slack . While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention. // a society callously neglectful of the poor

Q: When can 'lax' be used instead of 'neglectful'?

The meanings of lax and neglectful largely overlap; however, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision. // a reporter lax about accurate quotation

Q: When might 'negligent' be a better fit than 'neglectful'?

While the synonyms negligent and neglectful are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business. // negligent about writing a note of thanks

Q: Where would 'remiss' be a reasonable alternative to 'neglectful'?

The words remiss and neglectful can be used in similar contexts, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect. // had been remiss in their familial duties

Q: When is it sensible to use 'slack' instead of 'neglectful'?

The words slack and neglectful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care. // slack workmanship

neglectful

adjective

ni-ˈglek(t)-fəl

Definition of neglectful

as in careless

failing to give proper care and attention he's certainly not a neglectful father as he takes very good care of his children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word neglectful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of neglectful are lax, negligent, remiss, and slack. While all these words mean "culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness," neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention.

a society callously neglectful of the poor

When can lax be used instead of neglectful?

The meanings of lax and neglectful largely overlap; however, lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision.

a reporter lax about accurate quotation

When might negligent be a better fit than neglectful?

While the synonyms negligent and neglectful are close in meaning, negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business.

negligent about writing a note of thanks

Where would remiss be a reasonable alternative to neglectful?

The words remiss and neglectful can be used in similar contexts, but remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect.

had been remiss in their familial duties

When is it sensible to use slack instead of neglectful?

The words slack and neglectful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care.

slack workmanship

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 neglectful While not every nursing home fosters a neglectful or abusive environment, these conditions can thrive at facilities that are understaffed. — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 9 June 2026 To do otherwise is neglectful and selfish. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 Many high performers are incredibly disciplined in business and remarkably neglectful of their own health. — Muhamad Aly Rifai, Forbes.com, 4 May 2026 Above a certain socioeconomic threshold, not spending an extra $1,000 a year or more in the hopes of doing so could seem neglectful. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for neglectful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglectful

Adjective

Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond can be careless with the football, throwing three interceptions against Sam Houston last weekend and posting five picks in four games.

— Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

Composed of 160 photographs taken across the past seven decades by 118 photographers, the show suggests the jobs, romances, family life, and lazy afternoons that could have been his.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
However, GitHub’s measures don’t require users to revoke any credentials left exposed in a repo, and some developers continue hard-coding, even though it’s considered both lazy development and exceptionally poor security.

— Alex Colon, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lazy

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

Adjective

Markwayne Mullin, the secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, alleged that the Biden administration was derelict in its duty by failing to vet the sponsors of the children and to conduct wellness checks to ensure their safety.

— Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Once the colony grew, the birds roosted in a derelict military barracks nearby, later returning to the pine forest when the facility was renovated.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Definition of derelict

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“Neglectful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglectful. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of neglectful

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