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

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

neglect 1 of 2

noun

Definition of neglect next

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

How is the word neglect distinct from other similar verbs?

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

In a state of disrepair after years of neglect and on the brink of potential demolition, the home went up for sale in 2009 and sold that same year to preservationist Josh Gorrell for $580,000. —

Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2026 Many working-class red-state voters—for whom Vance’s right-populist brand is designed—seem dismayed by the spike in gas prices and the neglect of problems at home. —

Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026

Verb

Kanaiyah Ward was neglected A report by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) revealed that Ward was neglected by the caretaker who was supposed to supervise her with hourly checks. —

Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 The court’s framing of free speech also neglects the real-world evidence. —

A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for neglect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neglect

Noun

In a state of disrepair after years of neglect and on the brink of potential demolition, the home went up for sale in 2009 and sold that same year to preservationist Josh Gorrell for $580,000.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2026
By the mid-1970s, after desegregation, many of these clubs closed down and eventually fell into disrepair.

— SPIN Team, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026