neglectverb [ T ]
uk/nɪˈɡlekt/us/nɪˈɡlekt/C1 to not give enough care or attention to people or things that are your responsibility:
to neglect your appearance/the house
He neglects that poor dog - he never takes him for walks or gives him any attention.
She's been neglecting her studies this semester.
neglect to do sth
C2 to not do something, often because you forget:
I'd neglected to give him the name of the hotel where I'd be staying.
He neglected to mention the fact that we could lose money on the deal.
More examples
- He rather neglected his children in favour of his career.
- I've been neglecting my friends recently.
- She's been neglecting the housework.
- The government is neglecting its duty to protect the vulnerable.
- He was prosecuted for neglecting his animals.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Neglecting and ignoring
- beneath the/sb's radar idiom
- block sth out
- brush sth off
- bury/have your head in the sand idiom
- bypass
- lay
- let sth ride idiom
- look straight/right through sb idiom
- lost
- lost in the shuffle idiom
- moulder
- push
- ride
- snub
- step
- step on sb
- sweep sth aside
- there's none so deaf as those who will not hear idiom
- tune
- wave
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Treating people or animals badly
Failing and doing badly
neglectnoun [ U ]
uk/nɪˈɡlekt/us/nɪˈɡlekt/C1 a situation in which you do not give enough care or attention to someone or something, or the state of not receiving enough care or attention:
Both parents were found guilty of neglect and their child was taken away from them.
Over the years the church has fallen into a state of neglect.
More examples
- Doctors guilty of neglect are liable to prosecution.
- The present crisis is the result of years of wilful neglect by the council.
- A bit of healthy neglect is good for children.
- I'm afraid my garden is suffering from neglect.
- They accused their foster parents of neglect.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Neglecting and ignoring
- beneath the/sb's radar idiom
- block sth out
- brush sth off
- bury/have your head in the sand idiom
- bypass
- lay
- let sth ride idiom
- look straight/right through sb idiom
- lost
- lost in the shuffle idiom
- moulder
- push
- ride
- snub
- step
- step on sb
- sweep sth aside
- there's none so deaf as those who will not hear idiom
- tune
- wave
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Treating people or animals badly