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neglectful

neglectful

8 4.4
Not giving enough care or attention when something needs it
  • adjective
  • /nɪˈɡlɛktfəl/
translation icon : negligente
  • Look, you need to be prepared for the fact that Nora is gonna portray you as a neglectful, absent father.
  • neglectful parents
  • neglectful family
  • neglectful parenting

And you know, they would have been punished for being like neglectful to their child.

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Examples

  • Parents with a neglectful attitude know little about their child's activities and devote little time and energy to them.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Children of permissive parents scored significantly higher on identity foreclosure than those of neglectful parents.

    Academic text (2005)
  • I think that we often are too neglectful of our place in our own life.

  • And you are right, I am being a neglectful host.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Are you calling Mrs. Banks neglectful?

  • And you know, they would have been punished for being like neglectful to their child.

  • Meanwhile, Moriarty's mother (Elisabeth Shue) is a neglectful alcoholic who is always losing her job.

    Blog text (3)
  • The teacher became concerned when she noticed that one student had been neglectful of his homework assignments.

  • As a neglectful parent, he often forgot to attend important events in his child's life.

  • Her neglectful attitude toward her health resulted in serious consequences later on.

Synonyms

negligent
vsneglectful
58 5.3

Not taking proper care and causing harm or risk

describes lack of care or attention without the harm emphasis
remiss
vsneglectful
25 7.6

Not taking enough care with a duty or job

applies more generally to not giving enough care or attention
careless
vsneglectful
14 1.0

A lack of attention that causes mistakes or harm

covers not giving enough care or attention beyond individual mistakes
derelict
vsneglectful
  • Formal
8 7.7

Not doing a duty that someone should do

is the broader idea of not giving enough care or attention
heedless
vsneglectful
6 7.3

Not paying attention to danger or rules

is the general state of not giving enough care or attention
inattentive
vsneglectful
5 5.3

Does not notice what is happening or small details

focuses instead on failing responsibilities or general lack of care
lackadaisical
vsneglectful
5 8.6

Showing little energy or interest and doing things slowly and carelessly

is about failing to give sufficient care or attention regardless of mood
unmindful
vsneglectful
1 7.2

Not aware of what is happening around you

means more generally failing to give care or meet obligations
uncareful
vsneglectful
1 5.7

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

refers more widely to failing to give adequate care or attention
nondiligent
vsneglectful
7.2

Not giving enough care or effort when doing tasks

is broader, meaning failure to give adequate care or attention
unattentive
vsneglectful
6.5

Not paying attention to what is happening or being said

describes broader failure to give necessary care or attention
undutiful
vsneglectful
  • Archaic
8.6

Not showing proper respect or care toward parents and other people in charge

is broader, meaning general lack of care or attention across situations

Antonyms

61 3.0

Paying close attention and caring about someone's needs

38 1.0

Avoiding waste when spending money

37 3.6

To work carefully and try hard to finish tasks

How Neglectful

derelict
  • Formal
8 7.7
negligent
58 5.3
neglectful
8 4.4
careless
14 1.0

Surface Forms

neglectful positive
neglectfuler comparative
neglectfulest superlative

Morphology

neglectful = neglect (transparent) = neglect + ful

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'neglect' plus the productive suffix '-ful', yielding 'full of neglect' or 'not giving proper care'.

Etymology

The word neglectful comes from Latin parts neg- 'not' and legere 'to pick up', the same root you see in collect and select, which are about 'picking' or 'gathering'. So, to be neglectful is like 'not picking up' care, meaning you fail to give needed attention or help.