neglect

Fail to give someone or something the care or attention they need.

• Do not neglect your health.
• The owners neglected the garden for years.
• She felt that her parents had neglected her.

How to use it: neglect to do something (He neglected to water the plants.)

Similar words: ignore, disregard

Opposites: care for

Common phrases: neglect someone, neglect your health, neglect a duty

Fail to notice someone or give them the attention or respect they deserve.

• The host neglected several guests.
• She felt neglected when nobody greeted her.
• They welcomed the mayor but neglected his companion.

Similar words: ignore, overlook, slight

Opposites: acknowledge

Common phrases: neglect a guest, neglect someone

Leave a small effect or amount out of a calculation because it makes little difference.

• We can neglect air resistance here.
• The calculation neglects small changes in temperature.
• Can we neglect this term without changing the result?

Similar words: ignore, disregard, omit

Common phrases: neglect friction, neglect air resistance, neglect a term

Failure to give the care or attention that a person, thing, or duty needs.

• The house showed years of neglect.
• He lost his job for neglect of duty.
• The children suffered serious neglect at home.

How to use it: neglect of something (The report described neglect of basic safety duties.)

Similar words: negligence, inattention

Opposites: care, attention

Common phrases: child neglect, neglect of duty, years of neglect