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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of careless
But Ashley and Austin, bless their hearts, would live in the throes of a careless spring, with mismatched furniture and super casual pastel curtains.
—
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The driver of the car was cited for careless driving resulting in death, police said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
An elevated matching set There’s a fine line between comfortable and careless.
—Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The driver of the car was cited for careless driving resulting in death, police said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
An elevated matching set There’s a fine line between comfortable and careless.
—Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2026
Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for careless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careless
Adjective
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Some have branded it unsafe and unworkable, citing their concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Witnesses saw the driver speeding and making unsafe lane changes on the bridge, police said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Sid lives in the town of Matakana with her single, sometimes-neglectful alcoholic father Leo (Noah Taylor), who wanted to be a painter but now mows the lawns of rich neighbors and visiting Auckland rich boys occupying the beachfront mansions nearby in Omaha.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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Dysfunctional families can look many different ways, but typically are controlling, secretive, neglectful, and uncommunicative.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Feeling restless and reckless, Michael (LJ Benet) is drawn to a hard-rocking local band that is secretly a quartet of young vampires that is literally sucking the life out of the community.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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The vast majority of drivers stop speeding after one or two camera violations, but a small and extremely reckless group of super speeders flagrantly endanger themselves and everyone around them.—
Mike Flynn,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Giants third base coach Hector Borg waved Lee home, trying to take advantage of the wet conditions and a lazy throw back to the infield, but the Dodgers nabbed Lee with feet to spare.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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That film felt rushed, inconsistent, and lazy.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The doctor was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, with the court ruling his involvement in Jackson's death to be criminally negligent, per The New York Times.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, too many people and families have already had to experience the horror of injury or death at the hands of negligent drivers, including Heastie’s own constituents in the Bronx.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careless. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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