careless

[kair-lis] / ˈkɛər lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

without sufficient attention

Synonyms

STRONGEST

casual forgetful hasty inaccurate indifferent indiscreet irresponsible lackadaisical lax negligent nonchalant reckless sloppy thoughtless wasteful

WEAK

absent-minded abstracted cursory disregardful heedless improvident imprudent inadvertent incautious inconsiderate indolent injudicious loose mindless napping oblivious offhand perfunctory pococurante regardless remiss slipshod uncircumspect unconcerned unguarded unheeding unmindful unobservant unreflective unthinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attentive careful caring mindful responsible

WEAK

accurate cautious concerned guarded kind painstaking prudent ready scrupulous thoughtful

ADJECTIVE

artless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

casual naive nonchalant

WEAK

modest natural simple unstudied

Antonyms

WEAK

accurate attentive careful cautious concerned guarded kind mindful painstaking prudent ready scrupulous thoughtful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When a nameless secretary drops a sheaf of papers, Kornev’s response to help is instinctive, yet we cringe at the careless faux pas he commits in this unfeeling society.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

To connect maternal regret with unloving and neglectful parenting is a careless assumption, according to Israeli sociologist Orna Donath, author of Regretting Motherhood: A Study.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Like, just in case someone’s dawdling, or being careless about where they’re dumping snow.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

This evidently isn’t the first time he has been careless about a matter that touches her soul.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

First that she’d been careless enough to burn herself.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

careless

Example Sentences

Related Words