negligent
Failing to care
Negligent describes a failure to exercise proper care or attention.
A negligent driver causes accidents through inattention.
Negligent parenting fails to meet a child's basic needs.
In legal contexts, negligence establishes liability—you can be sued for negligent behavior that harms others.
The word implies carelessness rather than intentional wrongdoing: The hospital was found negligent in monitoring the patient.
Neglectful of duty
- laxInsufficiently firm or rigorous
- slipshodCareless and hasty
- sloppyCareless and untidy
- slackAbsence of tautness
irresponsible · heedless · derelict · perfunctory · haphazard · casual · thoughtless · imprudent
Heedless or skin irritation
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- impetuousActing on sudden urge
- foolhardyRecklessly bold
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
hotheaded · wanton · reckless · wild · daredevil · incautious · indiscreet · imprudent
Legally responsible for something
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
- answerableLiable to account
responsible · malpractice · breach · damages · lawsuit · litigation · tort · duty
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unmindfulLacking awareness or attention
- heedlessCareless of consequences
- forgetfulFailing to retain information
absentminded · distracted · preoccupied · unobservant · unfocused · scatterbrained · unwatchful · unconscious
remiss
Neglectful of duty
slack · irresponsible · heedless · derelict · perfunctory · haphazard · casual · thoughtless · imprudent · incautious
rash
Heedless or skin irritation
hasty · hotheaded · wanton · reckless · wild · daredevil · incautious · indiscreet · imprudent · irresponsible
liable
Legally responsible for something
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
answerable · responsible · malpractice · breach · damages · lawsuit · litigation · tort · duty · foreseeability
oblivious
Lacking any awareness
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unmindfulLacking awareness or attention
- heedlessCareless of consequences
forgetful · absentminded · distracted · preoccupied · unobservant · unfocused · scatterbrained · unwatchful · unconscious · insensible
- work traitshardworking, diligent, productive, efficient, lazy
- recklessreckless, careless, rash, heedless, imprudent
- shortcomingsdeficient, inadequate, lacking, inferior, subpar
- shoddinessslipshod, slapdash, hack job, botch job, botch
- at faultguilty, at fault, to blame, culpable, blameworthy
- accountabilityaccountability, responsibility, accountable, take responsibility, answerability
negligentresponsible
Obligated to answer for actions
dutiful · conscientious · diligent · reliable · dependable
negligentmeticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
painstaking · thorough · exacting · precise · rigorous
- gross negligenceSevere breach of duty
- medical negligenceSubstandard professional healthcare
- negligent homicideCausing death by recklessness
- criminal negligenceCarelessness severe enough for prosecution
- negligence claimLawsuit alleging failure of duty
- negligent drivingOperating vehicle without due care