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

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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

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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 Gen Z is digitally native, but that does not mean the generation is careless. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Latimore is proud his character’s growth, from a careless teenager all the way into manhood and being a partner and parent. — Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 That said, a pattern of careless errors or intentionally misleading claims are more likely to accrue penalties. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Trost has a past conviction of reckless driving and a lengthy history of civil traffic infractions, including careless driving, speeding, running a stop sign and running a red light, court records show. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
  1. unsafe
  2. neglectful
  3. reckless
  4. lazy
  5. negligent
Adjective
  • The North Lawn tenants had been involved in a yearslong dispute with multiple landlords over unsafe living conditions.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Well-loved and used items that are broken, damaged beyond repair, unsafe, or heavily stained or soiled should be thrown out.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • 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
  • Played by Rhea Perlman alongside her real-life husband Danny DeVito, the beauty and bingo-obsessed matriarch was pretty neglectful.
    — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of neglectful
Adjective
  • Pearson faces charges of second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a safety certificate and failure to keep a proper lookout.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The other two teens were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • People get lazy, reusing passwords or pseudonyms or crypto wallets.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the lazy days of summer fade and little ones return to school, autumn invites an air of academia.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lazy
Adjective
  • The lawsuit claims Wendy's was negligent, sold an unsafe food product and failed to meet its legal obligation to serve food that was safe to eat.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • One day later, a jury in Los Angeles determined Meta was negligent and failed to warn users of the mental health dangers associated with using its platforms.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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