undutiful
Neglecting one's responsibilities
Undutiful describes someone who fails to show proper respect, obedience, or loyalty to those they owe it—typically parents, employers, or institutions.
The word is old-fashioned and literary, carrying a tone of moral reproach: an undutiful son who never visited his aging mother.
It implies not just neglect but a violation of expected obligation.
Defying rightful authority
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- noncompliantFailing to conform
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- unrulyDifficult to control
wayward · willful · obstinate · headstrong · contrary · uncooperative · intractable · refractory
Failing in due care
- irresponsibleLacking sense of duty
- remissNeglectful of duty
- derelictAbandoned or neglectful
- carelessInattentive, prone to mistakes
inattentive · heedless · lax · slack · unmindful · forgetful · indifferent · unconcerned
Boldly rude and disrespectful
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
- impiousLacking religious respect
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- impertinentRudely presumptuous
disdainful · scornful · ungrateful · discourteous · dismissive · disparaging · belittling · scoffing
insubordinate
Defying rightful authority
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- noncompliantFailing to conform
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
unruly · wayward · willful · obstinate · headstrong · contrary · uncooperative · intractable · refractory · contumacious
negligent
Failing in due care
- irresponsibleLacking sense of duty
- remissNeglectful of duty
- derelictAbandoned or neglectful
careless · inattentive · heedless · lax · slack · unmindful · forgetful · indifferent · unconcerned · inconsiderate
insolent
Boldly rude and disrespectful
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
- impiousLacking religious respect
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
impertinent · disdainful · scornful · ungrateful · discourteous · dismissive · disparaging · belittling · scoffing · derisive
undutifuldutiful
Motivated by obligation
obedient · faithful · loyal · devoted · conscientious
undutifulrespectful
Showing proper regard
deferential · honoring · filial · courteous · obsequious