careless

adjective

ˈker-ləs How to pronounce careless (audio)
Definition of carelessnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neglectful
failing to give proper care and attention a careless effort that made an unnecessary mess

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of careless Digger follows greedy, careless Digger as his company inadvertently catalyzes a disaster with global repercussions—then, whoopsie, sets off another for good measure. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026 Loud phone use, rude behavior toward airport staff, and careless suitcase handling can make stressful terminals even more frustrating. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026 While the tone may often feel blithely throwaway, the filmmaking is never careless. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 The Giants got away with careless ball security against the Cowboys, duly noted by the Rams. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
  1. unsafe
  2. neglectful
  3. reckless
  4. lazy
  5. neglecting
  6. negligent
Adjective
  • Checking plans before execution The team also developed a defense system called PROTEA, designed to identify unsafe actions before a robot carries them out.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The meat may have been stored in a refrigerator experiencing unsafe deviations in temperature.
    — Eva Flowe October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • With nowhere to put her maternal love after the loss of her son Jason, Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini) soon takes an interest in Grace, whose own mom appears to be abusive and neglectful.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Duncan on Friday argued that the move is a mistake that empowers neglectful landlords and fails tenants.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • In addition, the jury found the two deputies acted with reckless disregard and awarded $10 million in punitive damages.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Chiu was convicted of murder, second-degree robbery, assault with a firearm and reckless evasion of police.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • If there are no bubbles or just very few small lazy bubbles, that means your oil is not hot enough.
    — Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In late June, Taylor Moton was in the middle of a lazy summer day in Charlotte.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • Bass goes to Ramanland Bass went hard after Raman at this week’s NBC4/Telemundo 52 debate, accusing her of neglecting constituents in her district, which stretches from Silver Lake to the San Fernando Valley.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of neglecting
Adjective
  • This past March, the Appenzell Ausserrhoden prosecutors finally charged Rau and Kotthaus with two counts of negligent homicide and sent the case to a judge for a trial.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The ad has triggered pushback from Acton’s campaign due to accusations that Donna Arthur was a negligent and abusive mother who should not be given a platform.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of negligent

Browse Nearby Words

caregiving
careless
carelessly
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Cite this Entry

“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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