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Definitions

neglect

[ni-glekt] / nɪˈglɛkt /
NOUN
disregard
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carelessness disrespect indifference oversight
STRONG
coolness delinquency disdain heedlessness inadvertence inattention inconsideration laxity laxness scorn slight thoughtlessness unconcern
WEAK
disregardance
Antonyms
STRONGEST
regard
STRONG
praise respect
WEAK
accomplishment achievement care completion finish obedience observance success watchfulness
NOUN
failure, default
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carelessness dereliction lapse negligence oversight
STRONG
chaos delay delinquency dilapidation forgetfulness laxity laxness limbo neglectfulness omission pretermission remissness slackness slovenliness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
success
WEAK
accomplishment achievement care completion finish obedience observance regard respect watchfulness
VERB
be indifferent, leave alone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discount disregard ignore overlook reject spurn underestimate
STRONG
affront condemn depreciate despise detest disdain dismiss pretermit rebuff scant scorn slight slur
WEAK
brush aside brush off have nothing to do with keep at arm's length keep one's distance laugh off let go live with make light of not care for pass by pass over pass up pay no attention to pay no mind shrug off tune out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attend heed look at note notice pay attention recognize regard respect
STRONG
admire approve cherish compliment flatter like love praise welcome
WEAK
accomplish achieve complete concern do finish guard nurture protect succeed take care of watch
VERB
fail to do; forget
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bypass discard disregard overlook
STRONG
defer dismiss elide evade miss omit overleap overpass postpone procrastinate shirk skimp skip suspend trifle
WEAK
be careless be derelict be irresponsible be negligent be remiss gloss over let pass let slide look the other way lose sight of not trouble oneself pass over think little of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attend regard respect
STRONG
advance complete continue do expedite face finish forward maintain meet take on
WEAK
accomplish achieve cherish concern guard nurture protect succeed take care of watch

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.

He has rejected the false choice between engagement abroad and neglect at home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Safeguarding is the process of protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from abuse, harm, or neglect.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

After more than a half-century of neglect, a derelict, historic church known as the oldest building on Wilshire Boulevard may finally be restored to its spiritual mission.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

A separate 2019 report from agency’s inspector general found that about 20% of Medicare-certified hospice agencies had deficiencies severe enough to pose serious safety risks to patients, such as unmanaged pain or neglect.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

They were good mothers and did not neglect this protection, they tell the Reverend.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Vocabulary lists containing neglect

List 7

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100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"

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Excerpt from "The Declaration of Independence"

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