remiss 🔊
Meaning of remiss
Failing to fulfill one's duty; negligent or careless.
Key Difference
While 'remiss' implies a neglect of duty or responsibility, its synonyms may vary in intensity, context, or connotation.
Example of remiss
- The teacher was remiss in not reporting the bullying incident to the principal.
- He would be remiss if he didn't double-check the safety protocols before the experiment.
Synonyms
negligent 🔊
Meaning of negligent
Failing to take proper care in doing something.
Key Difference
Negligent often implies a legal or formal failure, whereas remiss is more general.
Example of negligent
- The doctor was found negligent for not reviewing the patient's medical history.
- The contractor was negligent in following the building codes.
derelict 🔊
Meaning of derelict
Deliberately neglecting duties or obligations.
Key Difference
Derelict suggests a more willful abandonment of responsibility compared to remiss.
Example of derelict
- The soldier was charged with being derelict in his duties.
- The landlord was derelict in maintaining the property.
lax 🔊
Meaning of lax
Not sufficiently strict or careful.
Key Difference
Lax implies a lack of strictness rather than outright neglect.
Example of lax
- Security at the event was lax, allowing unauthorized entry.
- Her lax attitude toward deadlines caused delays in the project.
careless 🔊
Meaning of careless
Not giving sufficient attention to avoiding harm or errors.
Key Difference
Careless is more about lack of attention, while remiss involves duty.
Example of careless
- His careless mistake cost the company thousands of dollars.
- She was careless with confidential documents.
slack 🔊
Meaning of slack
Not properly attentive or diligent.
Key Difference
Slack often implies laziness or lack of effort, whereas remiss is about responsibility.
Example of slack
- The team was slack in meeting their weekly targets.
- His slack performance led to a warning from his supervisor.
delinquent 🔊
Meaning of delinquent
Failing in one's duty, often in a legal or financial context.
Key Difference
Delinquent is often used in legal or financial neglect, unlike remiss.
Example of delinquent
- The company was delinquent in paying its taxes.
- He was declared a delinquent borrower after missing multiple payments.
inattentive 🔊
Meaning of inattentive
Not paying proper attention.
Key Difference
Inattentive focuses on lack of focus, while remiss is about duty.
Example of inattentive
- The inattentive driver caused a minor collision.
- She was inattentive during the briefing and missed key details.
heedless 🔊
Meaning of heedless
Showing a reckless lack of care.
Key Difference
Heedless suggests outright disregard, whereas remiss implies a lapse in duty.
Example of heedless
- His heedless actions endangered the entire team.
- She was heedless of the warnings and proceeded anyway.
thoughtless 🔊
Meaning of thoughtless
Not considering the consequences of one's actions.
Key Difference
Thoughtless implies lack of consideration, while remiss is about responsibility.
Example of thoughtless
- His thoughtless comment offended many people.
- It was thoughtless of her to leave without informing anyone.
Conclusion
- Remiss is best used when describing a failure in duty or responsibility without malicious intent.
- Negligent can be used in legal or formal contexts where accountability is emphasized.
- Derelict is appropriate when describing intentional abandonment of duty.
- Lax works well when referring to a lack of strictness rather than outright neglect.
- Careless should be used when the focus is on lack of attention rather than duty.
- Slack is fitting when describing laziness or lack of effort in tasks.
- Delinquent is best for legal or financial neglect scenarios.
- Inattentive applies when someone fails to pay proper attention.
- Heedless is used for reckless disregard of consequences.
- Thoughtless fits when actions lack consideration for others.