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negligent

adjective
neg·​li·​gent | \ ˈne-gli-jÉ™nt How to pronounce negligent (audio) \

Definition of negligent

1a : marked by or given to neglect especially habitually or culpably was a careless workman, negligent of details— Edith Hamilton
b : failing to exercise the care expected of a reasonably prudent person in like circumstances negligent about traffic regulations
2 : marked by a carelessly easy manner
Other Words from negligent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about negligent

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Other Words from negligent

negligently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for negligent

negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness. negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business. negligent about writing a note of thanks neglectful adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate inattention. a society callously neglectful of the poor lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity, or precision. a reporter lax about accurate quotation slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care. slack workmanship remiss implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness, forgetfulness, or neglect. had been remiss in their familial duties

Did You Know?

To be negligent is to be neglectful. Negligence is an important legal concept; it's usually defined as the failure to use the care that a normally careful person would in a given situation. Negligence is a common claim in lawsuits regarding medical malpractice, auto accidents, and workplace injuries. But you can also be negligent about answering your e-mail, or negligent in the way you dress. (The original garment called a negligee was worn by women who had neglected to get fully dressed.) The legal meanings of negligent and negligence, however, tend to be the ones we most often encounter nowadays.

Examples of negligent in a Sentence

The fire was started by a negligent smoker. He was negligent in not reporting the accident to the police.

Recent Examples on the Web

 The truck driver, 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy of West Springfield, Mass., has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide. — Matt Rocheleau, BostonGlobe.com, "N.H. suspends 900 licenses after review, but Sununu says it’s a ‘different situation’ than Mass.," 28 Aug. 2019 If the judge determines that the evidence is not sufficient to warrant a charge of unpremeditated murder, Johnson could be prosecuted for the lesser offenses of involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide. — Paul Duggan, Washington Post, "Marine failed to properly unload his pistol before fatal shooting of fellow Marine, prosecutor says," 24 Aug. 2019 If the judge determines that the evidence is not sufficient to warrant a charge of unpremeditated murder, Johnson could be prosecuted for the lesser offenses of involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "Prosecution details fatal shooting of Minnesota Marine by his colleague," 23 Aug. 2019 The husband and wife charged with criminal negligent homicide in the boat crash death of Kelsey Starling denies the charges against them, according to their attorney. — Carol Robinson | [email protected], al, "Couple charged in boat crash that killed Kelsey Starling denies charges against them," 22 Aug. 2019 Tol was charged with negligent homicide and endangering a child in the death of 46-year-old Enrique Vazquez. — Fox News, "ICE places hold on Texas man accused of letting daughter, 12, drive in crash that killed man, dog," 20 Aug. 2019 Her father has been arrested and charged with criminal negligent homicide and endangering a child. — Amir Vera, CNN, "A father is charged after 12-year-old girl hits a man and a dog with an SUV, killing them," 18 Aug. 2019 Her father has been arrested and charged with criminal negligent homicide and endangering a child. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "12-year-old driver kills man and dog. Her father is charged with homicide.," 18 Aug. 2019 Zhukovskyy has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of negligent homicide. — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, "Audit details the 7 seconds that might have prevented 7 deaths in N.H. motorcycle crash," 17 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'negligent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of negligent

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for negligent

Middle English necligent, negligent, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin neglegent-, neglegens (also neclegens, negligens), present participle of neglegere, neclegere "to disregard, do nothing about, fail to care for" — more at neglect entry 1

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More Definitions for negligent

negligent

adjective
How to pronounce negligent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of negligent

: failing to take proper or normal care of something or someone

See the full definition for negligent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

negligent

adjective
neg·​li·​gent | \ ˈne-glÉ™-jÉ™nt How to pronounce negligent (audio) \

Kids Definition of negligent

: failing to take proper or normal care of something or someone

Other Words from negligent

negligently adverb

negligent

adjective
neg·​li·​gent | \ ˈne-gli-jÉ™nt How to pronounce negligent (audio) \

Legal Definition of negligent

: marked by, given to, or produced by negligence a negligent act the defendant was negligent

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