careless
adjective
care·less ˈker-ləs 
1
a
: free from care : untroubled
careless days
b
: indifferent, unconcerned
careless of the consequences
2
: not taking care
My brother was too careless of his charge.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare3
: not showing or receiving care:
a
: negligent, slovenly
careless writing
b
: unstudied, spontaneous
a careless grace
a careless glance
c
obsolete : unvalued, disregarded
carelessly adverb
carelessness noun
Synonyms
- heedless
- incautious
- mindless
- unguarded
- unsafe
- unwary
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He is a careless worker. She was careless with my things. It was a careless mistake. a newspaper known for careless reporting
Recent Examples on the Web Rodriguez was arrested just after 3 a.m. May 8 and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving. Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2022 He was issued a traffic citation for careless driving. Abigail Hasebroock, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2022 Lindsey Janae Krasovic, who also has addresses in Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville, has been jailed since her Monday arrest in Sherwood after a traffic stop for careless driving, according to an arrest report. John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2022 Increasingly, however, there’s an awareness that trade can become a strategic vulnerability if companies and politicians are careless. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Health experts say that if the nation doesn't adopt a more coordinated strategy, and Americans don't get more serious about wearing masks and avoiding careless socializing, the rate of deaths will keep soaring this fall and winter. Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, 19 Nov. 2020 Kane was charged with drunken driving and careless driving. Michael Rubinkam, ajc, 23 May 2022 An 18-year-old man was arrested for underage drinking, open bottle and careless driving after his vehicle was found in a ditch. Star Tribune, 13 Feb. 2021 The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were reckless, careless and negligent. Elliot Lewis, NBC News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2022 He was issued a traffic citation for careless driving. Abigail Hasebroock, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2022 Lindsey Janae Krasovic, who also has addresses in Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville, has been jailed since her Monday arrest in Sherwood after a traffic stop for careless driving, according to an arrest report. John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2022 Increasingly, however, there’s an awareness that trade can become a strategic vulnerability if companies and politicians are careless. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Health experts say that if the nation doesn't adopt a more coordinated strategy, and Americans don't get more serious about wearing masks and avoiding careless socializing, the rate of deaths will keep soaring this fall and winter. Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, 19 Nov. 2020 Kane was charged with drunken driving and careless driving. Michael Rubinkam, ajc, 23 May 2022 An 18-year-old man was arrested for underage drinking, open bottle and careless driving after his vehicle was found in a ditch. Star Tribune, 13 Feb. 2021 The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were reckless, careless and negligent. Elliot Lewis, NBC News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see care entry 1
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
careless
adjective
care·less ˈker-ləs
1
: not taking proper care
a careless worker
2
: done, made, or said without being careful
a careless mistake
3
: carefree
Legal Definition
careless
adjective
care·less
: not showing due care : negligent
careless driving
compare reckless careless
adjective
1
as in unsafe
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble a careless reporter who often doesn't get his facts straight a careless mistake that caused the plane to crash Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unsafe
- reckless
- heedless
- regardless
- incautious
- negligent
- thoughtless
- mindless
- unguarded
- inattentive
- impetuous
- forgetful
- rash
- unwary
- inconsiderate
- neglectful
- imprudent
- unmindful
- injudicious
- inadvertent
- indiscreet
- lax
- slipshod
- blithe
- unintentional
- absentminded
- remiss
- bold
- unplanned
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cautious
- wary
- circumspect
- safe
- vigilant
- watchful
- attentive
- observant
- alert
- heedful
- guarded
- chary
- shrewd
- foresighted
- provident
- considerate
- thoughtful
- scheming
- gingerly
- calculating
- forethoughtful
- ultracareful
- ultracautious
2
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention a careless effort that made an unnecessary mess Synonyms & Similar Words
- neglectful
- lazy
- neglecting
- negligent
- reckless
- lax
- derelict
- disregardful
- irresponsible
- slack
- thoughtless
- remiss
- oblivious
- forgetful
- incautious
- heedless
- inattentive
- unmindful
- unthinking
- disregarding
- indifferent
- unconcerned
- unguarded
- disinterested
- uninterested
- apathetic
- unwary
- delinquent
- wild
- unheeding
- loose
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- careful
- conscientious
- cautious
- attentive
- meticulous
- circumspect
- punctilious
- responsible
- painstaking
- wary
- vigilant
- nonnegligent
- mindful
- regarding
- watchful
- chary
- observant
- guarded
- thinking
- alert
- thoughtful
- regardful
- provident
- heedful
- concerned
- interested
- gingerly
- foresighted
- heeding
- forethoughtful