See More

Some common synonyms of ignore<\/em> are disregard<\/em><\/a>, forget<\/em><\/a>, neglect<\/em><\/a>, overlook<\/em><\/a>, and slight<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to pass over without giving due attention,\" ignore<\/em> implies a failure to regard something obvious.<\/p>

\/\/ ignored<\/em> the snide remark<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'disregard' a more appropriate choice than 'ignore'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words disregard<\/em><\/a> and ignore<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disregard<\/em> suggests voluntary inattention.<\/p>

\/\/ disregarded<\/em> the wishes of his family<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'forget' be used to replace 'ignore'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words forget<\/em><\/a> and ignore<\/em> have much in common, forget<\/em> may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.<\/p>

\/\/ forget<\/em> what others say<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'neglect' be used instead of 'ignore'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms neglect<\/em><\/a> and ignore<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but neglect<\/em> implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.<\/p>

\/\/ habitually neglected<\/em> his studies<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'overlook' be a reasonable alternative to 'ignore'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words overlook<\/em><\/a> and ignore<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but overlook<\/em> suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.<\/p>

\/\/ in my rush I overlooked<\/em> a key example<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'slight' be a good substitute for 'ignore'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms slight<\/em><\/a> and ignore<\/em> are close in meaning, slight<\/em> implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.<\/p>

\/\/ slighted<\/em> several major authors in her survey<\/p>" } } ] }

ignore

verb

ig-ˈnȯr How to pronounce ignore (audio)
Definition of ignorenext
1
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Meantime the other guys were trying to ignore the shouting. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 Those realities cannot be ignored when assessing school performance, Collier said. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026 Loop initiates Commvault Systems as buy Loop said the software company is too attractive to ignore. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026 An issue that can be fixed, and one Aiello says should not be ignored. —Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignore
  1. forget
  2. forgive
  3. disregard
  4. overlook
  5. neglect
  6. explain
  7. justify
  8. excuse
Verb
  • And don’t forget the basics like dish soap and scrub brushes.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
  • If the temperature, humidity or acidity is not favorable, these bacteria can also slumber for decades in a spore form – underfoot and forgotten by nearly all except cattle.
    — Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of forget
Verb
  • Give me raiders of the lost past, any day, and forgive them their lack of footnotes.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Overcoming scandal, moving forward Crisis management experts told The Denver Post that while the public is usually willing to forgive and forget scandals if those involved do a good job communicating, the fraught nature of dealing with death makes this more complicated.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • The lawsuit further claimed that DHS and ICE are disregarding federal law while moving quickly to implement a nationwide agenda.
    — JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Hezbollah, the paramilitary group in Lebanon, got involved in the conflict, disregarding the state’s sovereignty and firing missiles and drones from Lebanese territory at an Israeli military site near Haifa.
    — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of disregard
Verb
  • The atoms still emit the same total amount of light, which is why this effect has been overlooked until now.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Compared to downtown Park City and most Deer Valley resort accommodations, the hotel is positioned on the opposite side of the mountain overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Keep your crop safe Finally, don’t neglect protecting your plants.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Animals deserve to be protected and cherished, never abused or neglected.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of neglect
Verb
  • Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.
    — Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The justices did not issue an opinion explaining their decision to stay Duckett’s execution.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • But manufacturers use unnecessary complication to justify charging you $100,000 for $20,000 worth of car--or $350,000 for $50,000 worth of tractor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Blending absurdist humor with social critique, the series explores how civility can be weaponized to justify cruelty.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • For Barbara, impending death does not inspire a moral awakening, and Rosenberg never gives the reader an origin story that would excuse her cruelty.
    — Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Please excuse the pun, but the One Battle After Another star looks like a literal cascading waterfall at the Oscars 2026.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

ignorant
ignore
ignored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignore. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ignore

Nglish: Translation of ignore for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dross

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little boy with a magnifying glass looking at footprints
Quiz: Spot the Misspelled Word! Think you can detect a spelling error from a mile...
See All