reckless disregard
Careless, dangerous indifference
Reckless disregard is conscious indifference to consequences or to the rights and safety of others.
The phrase appears frequently in legal contexts, where it describes conduct more culpable than mere negligence but short of intentional harm: The driver showed reckless disregard for pedestrian safety.
In defamation law, publishing with reckless disregard for the truth—knowing something might be false but not bothering to check—can establish actual malice.
- public safetyCollective welfare from threats
- public endangermentCrime of risking harm to others
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- irresponsibilityFailure to meet obligations
negligence · willful misconduct · actual malice · intentional harm · indifference · culpability · wanton · devil may care · risk-taking · societal norms · community impact · legal liability · willful blindness · malfeasance · tort law · self-centeredness · thrill-seeking · apathy
- faultfault, gross negligence, culpa, criminal negligence, carelessness
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- criminal intentmens rea, guilty mind, criminal intent, intent, malice aforethought
reckless disregardattentiveness
Concentrated awareness of surroundings
vigilance · heedfulness · watchfulness · due diligence · due care
reckless disregardprudence
Careful, wise judgment
deliberation · circumspection · caution · judiciousness · calculated restraint
reckless, recklessly, recklessness, regard, regards, regarded, regarding, regardless, disregard