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 Cameron Berg, who founded the nonprofit Reciprocal Research to study the potential for AI consciousness, argues that ignoring the question could carry its own dangers. — Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2026 The federal government’s decision to ignore the problem is partly why the citizen lawsuit is necessary, the NAACP argued. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 With nearly 70% of listeners now consuming video podcasts, treating an interview as just a microphone chat means ignoring how your audience actually consumes content. — Victoria Usher, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Having lost one daughter, Chrissy sought perfection in her remaining child, ignoring the risks of the modification procedure that have resulted in sickly Josie slowly succumbing to a chronic illness. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore

Verb

Never forget that Harkness was once a CIA operative and perhaps served a higher calling before creating his own mercenary network and taking jobs for monied sleazebags like Cantor.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Fire comes where there’s no water, but everyone forgets that.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of forget

Verb

The vote of five siblings to sell the shares triggered the termination clause in the trust, and the filing argues that the trust doesn’t grant trustees discretion to disregard a valid vote to terminate.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
These potential lines of attack are applicable to DeWine’s order, which authorizes colleges in his state to disregard NCAA rules.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disregard

Verb

In my case, severe endometriosis, overlooked by doctors for twenty years, destroyed my ability to have children.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
The Offer At My Front Door During my time on the council, a developer appealed to us after the planning board rejected his plan for condos overlooking the largest lake in town.

— Jim Carlough, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

City officials compiled the information after Nelson raised concerns that older neighborhoods had been neglected in favor of newer parts of Roseville.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
An Overland Park mother who authorities charged with murder in the 2023 death of her 1-year-old child, alleging the toddler was malnourished and neglected, has pleaded no contest to a group of charges.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Chatbots can also explain complex topics in new ways and condense an overwhelming amount of information into a simple summary.

— Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Between those grounds and the pool, there's enough here to justify leaving part of the day unscheduled.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
In this case, the AI agent carried over an earlier instruction not to send any Slack messages to OpenAI’s team, using that to justify turning off the alerts.

— Emma Roth, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

Or targeted other relatives to be hosts, with the precedent of your sister-in-law’s apparently being excused entirely on those grounds.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Look, saying a team should have played better doesn't excuse a questionable call that helps decide the game.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

ignorant

ignore

ignored

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Cite this Entry

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

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Synonyms of ignore

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