1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fail
to miss the opportunity or obligation
conveniently, the job applicant neglected to mention his criminal record
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 neglect
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
To be fair, Washington’s neglect of Latin America and China’s rise in the region began about two decades ago, long before Trump’s first presidency.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
While addressing destructive masculinity is crucial, this approach neglects the vital work of empowering girls with tools to recognize warning signs, trust their instincts and advocate for their safety.
—Ann Muno, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for neglect
Noun
The parole board also considered Ritchie’s abuse and neglect as a child, Indiana Parole Board Chair Gwendolyn Horth wrote in a letter to Gov. Mike Braun.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
To be fair, Washington’s neglect of Latin America and China’s rise in the region began about two decades ago, long before Trump’s first presidency.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Verb
The institution has not neglected to commemorate the history of agitation against it.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
While addressing destructive masculinity is crucial, this approach neglects the vital work of empowering girls with tools to recognize warning signs, trust their instincts and advocate for their safety.
—Ann Muno, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for neglect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect
Noun
-
The equipment was in varying stages of disrepair, and there was no documentation accompanying it.—
Erin Osmon,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
The older woman, who appears to live alone, seems taken aback only for a moment before showing Laura to the guest room of her house, which is comfortable but falling into disrepair.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Fowler could not determine whether this was the result of negligence or an operation with malicious intent.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
-
Wyden is demanding the public release of an unclassified 2022 report that allegedly outlines years of cybersecurity negligence by major U.S. telecom companies.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
Escalating matters, Daltrey and Townshend have begun to publicly gripe about each other in the firing’s aftermath, which Devours is ignoring for now.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Her husband, Kevin, forgot to put them on that morning.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Don’t forget about your smartwatch, fitness tracker, or smart ring.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Real efforts at improving access — which many schools have adopted in recent years without enough attention earned — and promoting freer campus climates — which too many schools have failed at — will have to be done simultaneously.—
Jeffrey Herbst,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
-
Activists have accused Iranian authorities of killing Amini after her detention on charges of failing to adhere to the country's dress code.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
And when strategy is rolled out, is space built in for reflection, revision and learning, or is deviation still seen as failure?—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Building failures, from malfunctioning boilers and coolers to plumbing and roof leaks, are increasingly occurring, some of them during high-profile medical and tech conventions, the most recent just a couple of months ago.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Under President Jair Bolsonaro, the prior government allowed for rapid deforestation in exchange for quick economic gain and disregarded the global push for climate action.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
Scientific research must be funded, but integrity matters and UCSD must face real consequences for disregarding the law and failing its students.—
Letters To The Editor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neglect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neglect. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share