IGNORE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ignore' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard , forget , neglect , overlook , and slight . While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. // ignored the snide remark

Q: When is 'disregard' a more appropriate choice than 'ignore'?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention. // disregarded the wishes of his family

Q: When could 'forget' be used to replace 'ignore'?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. // forget what others say

Q: When can 'neglect' be used instead of 'ignore'?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention. // habitually neglected his studies

Q: Where would 'overlook' be a reasonable alternative to 'ignore'?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care. // in my rush I overlooked a key example

Q: When would 'slight' be a good substitute for 'ignore'?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. // slighted several major authors in her survey

ignore

verb

ig-ˈnȯr

Definition of ignore

as in to forget

to fail to give proper attention to ignoring your health now will haunt you further down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to forgive

to dismiss as of little importance although the movie is a cinematic tour de force, one can't ignore the fact that it seriously distorts history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ignore distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ignore are disregard, forget, neglect, overlook, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is disregard a more appropriate choice than ignore?

The words disregard and ignore are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When could forget be used to replace ignore?

Although the words forget and ignore have much in common, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

When can neglect be used instead of ignore?

The synonyms neglect and ignore are sometimes interchangeable, but neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

Where would overlook be a reasonable alternative to ignore?

The words overlook and ignore can be used in similar contexts, but overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would slight be a good substitute for ignore?

While the synonyms slight and ignore are close in meaning, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

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 ignore That might mean gutting labor or safety standards that would delay the technology’s rollout, ignoring anticompetitive acts, or providing favors in the form of cheap loans or lucrative government contracts. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 Reports linking the dismantling of USAID to preventable deaths are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. — W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 2 July 2026 This week, Iranian state television reported that a foreign ship got stuck in the strait after ignoring instructions from Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Detaining recipients ignores the purpose of deferring action, said Michael Kagan, a law professor and director of the University of Nevada’s Immigration Clinic. — Lauren Villagran, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore

Verb

Aaron Morris of San Francisco wanted to make sure the match would be one his father, Pancho, would never forget.

— Kenny Choi, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Then, just as suddenly, the din fades away, the focus shifts and the election process is forgotten until the next round of howling protest.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of forget

Verb

Shoppers note that the shorts are roomy and don’t bunch up, and that the elastic waistband is forgiving even while bloated.

— Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Debt settlement can negatively affect your credit score, and forgiven debt may have tax implications in some situations.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

His father, who founded the Link Piano and Organ Company, probably disregarded the sketch as a young boy’s fantasy.

— Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
For the next several months, Zaayer continued harassing both Shawna's family and the police by shouting at their grandchild, disregarding property lines and recording them and making false claims on social media, per The Guardian.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of disregard

Verb

Choice, vital for full-time employees, signifies agency and internal mobility, a dimension leaders often neglect.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
But more often than not, what does emerge has been neglected, destroyed or shoved back out of sight and out of the public mind, Frank and others note.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Davies explains that Provenance adds value, as does good condition, because textiles are particularly unforgiving and easy to damage.

— Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Wall Street is increasingly punishing Big Tech companies for spending on AI without profits to justify it.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Thus far, Meta was only monetizing AI through its advertising, which is a great business but can be cyclical and was not enough to justify using all its cash flow.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Definition of justify

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ignorant

ignore

ignored

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“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ignore

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