uncareful

1 5.7

Someone who does not pay attention and often causes mistakes or harm

adjective
/ʌnˈkɛrfl/

: descuidado

Mourdock's supposed offense—again, if the offense was anything more than uncareful wording—was including the children conceived from rape in his view about the sanctity of life.

Examples

Unless I believed a priori that the person asking it was either terminally uncareful or a moron.

Blog text (11)
He was uncareful while driving, which led to a minor accident.
Being uncareful with your studies can result in poor grades.
Her uncareful handling of the fragile vase caused it to break.

Synonyms

negligent

vsuncareful

58 5.3

Not taking proper care and causing harm or risk

is a general lack of care that may or may not cause harm

careless

vsuncareful

14 1.0

A lack of attention that causes mistakes or harm

is the general lack of attention, caution, or thought in actions

neglectful

vsuncareful

8 4.4

Not giving enough care or attention when something needs it

is broader, covering casual lack of attention in any actions

unguarded

vsuncareful

8 5.1

Not careful about what you say or do, so you reveal more than you want

emphasizes overall lack of care rather than just lack of protection

heedless

vsuncareful

6 7.3

Not paying attention to danger or rules

is the wider idea of absent caution, not only absent concern

inattentive

vsuncareful

5 5.3

Does not notice what is happening or small details

is broader, also including lack of caution or thought overall

devil-may-care

vsuncareful

Informal

4 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

is the basic absence of care without implying a carefree attitude

unmindful

vsuncareful

1 7.2

Not aware of what is happening around you

is the general absence of care, not only simple unawareness

incautious

vsuncareful

1 6.7

Not careful about possible danger or harm

is similar but covers lack of care beyond just danger awareness

cavalier

vsuncareful

1 7.7

Not showing enough care for something important or for other people

is the straightforward lack of attention or caution, not attitude driven

unwatchful

vsuncareful

7.3

Not paying attention makes you miss danger or problems

includes that lack but also missing careful thought and caution

unvigilant

vsuncareful

8.7

Not watching carefully for danger or problems

is broader, covering general lack of care beyond alertness

guardless

vsuncareful

8.6

Not careful in what you say or do

focuses more generally on lacking attention and careful action

off one's guard

vsuncareful

6.6

Not paying attention and not ready for danger or surprise

is the usual absence of carefulness, not only temporary unpreparedness

nondiligent

vsuncareful

7.2

Not giving enough care or effort when doing tasks

is wider, applying to behaviour and choices beyond work tasks

unconscientious

vsuncareful

8.8

Not careful about doing the right thing

focuses more on absent care and attention rather than moral failing

unapprehensive

vsuncareful

9.5

Not aware of danger or risk

covers that slowness but also lack of deliberate caution or thought

Antonyms

careful

∞ 1.0

Watching what you do to avoid mistakes or harm

cautious

210 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

How Careful

meticulous

58 8.6

careful

∞ 1.0

cautious

210 2.9

uncareful

1 5.7

reckless

193 3.6

Surface Forms

uncareful positive

Morphology

uncareful = careful (transparent) = un + care + ful

Formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'careful', yielding the straightforward opposite meaning.

Etymology

Uncareful is made from the prefix un- ('not') plus careful, which comes from care ('attention' or 'worry'). So uncareful simply means 'not paying attention' or 'lacking caution', which is why it often leads to mistakes or danger.