neglect
/nɪˈɡlɛkt/
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Also a noun
Meaning
To fail to care for or pay proper attention to someone or something.
He tended to neglect his garden during the dry summer months.
Have you been neglecting your health lately?
To fail to do something through carelessness or forgetfulness.
The report neglected to mention several critical safety violations.
Do not neglect to back up your files before running updates.
How it's used
When this means “fail to care for”
- neglect the garden
“neglect it.”
He neglected the garden until weeds took over.
When this means “omit to do something”
- neglect to mention
She neglected to mention the additional charges.
Collocations
- neglect duties
- neglect responsibilities
Antonyms
- cherish
Meaning
The state of being uncared for, or the act of failing to provide necessary care.
The historic theater had fallen into deep neglect after decades of disuse.
Cases of severe neglect often require immediate intervention by social workers.
Collocations
- gross neglect
- suffer from neglect
- years of neglect
Synonyms
- abandonment
- negligence
Antonyms
- care
- attention