disregard

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disregard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to when someone pays no attention to something or doesn't care about something. For example, "She showed complete disregard for his feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have no doubt," wrote Mr Gwynne, confidently, "that the vast majority of the public will find it profoundly unacceptable that a convicted criminal with such disregard for British justice continues to hold such an illustrious honour".

The Guardian - Opinion

The first half of the Channel 4 chancellors' debate brought us the surreal experience of watching George Osborne being berated for his disregard for the national debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

What's unusual about the New Jersey bar case is that the plaintiffs are not the familiar type in these cases: motorists or stop-and-frisk victims outraged by what they say are invasive searches and a willful disregard by police for privacy rights.

The Guardian

But Wensley says this is rare and only happens when owners show "a blatant disregard for the advice they're receiving".

The Guardian

I disregard the word nationalism in the SNP because I think it is being redefined and it's about having self-respect.

The Guardian

On the best interpretation Powell, a man of strong imperialist sympathies, was ungenerous in treating the post-imperial human legacy with such cynical or at least selfish disregard.

The Guardian

It isn't a disregard for the agreements you share with the people you love.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a wide-ranging attack on the Coalition's environmental policies, Butler said the government was guilty of showing a "ruthless" disregard for the nation's natural assets.

The Guardian

At the same time it is disappointing to find so much evidence of traditional disregard for central and eastern Europe.

The Guardian

"People don't like the disregard for other people's wellbeing that she represents.

The Guardian

The first half of the debate brought us the surreal ­experience of watching George Osborne being berated for his disregard for the national debt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disregard", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it is intentional or unintentional. For example, "His disregard for safety regulations led to the accident" suggests intent, while "The oversight showed a disregard for procedure" implies negligence.

Common error

Avoid using "disregard" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "defiance" or "rebellion". "Disregard" suggests negligence or lack of concern, while stronger terms indicate active opposition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disregard" is as a noun, denoting the state or act of ignoring or neglecting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "disregard" functions primarily as a noun to denote a lack of attention, respect, or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It sees common usage in news, formal business, and academic contexts. High-quality sources such as The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ it. It's important to differentiate "disregard" from related terms like "disrespect" or "defiance" to ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed. When writing, remember to consider the intentionality implied and ensure the context supports the chosen term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ignoring

Represents the act of deliberately paying no attention.

Neglect

Implies a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

Lack of consideration

Highlights the absence of thoughtfulness or regard for others.

Lack of attention

Focuses on the absence of attentiveness, rather than the active choice to ignore.

Dismissal

Implies a rejection or disregard of something as unimportant.

Inattention

Highlights a lack of focus or care.

Indifference

Emphasizes a lack of interest or sympathy.

Oversight

Suggests an unintentional failure to notice something.

Nonchalance

Indicates a casual lack of concern or enthusiasm.

Contempt

Suggests a feeling of disdain or disrespect.

FAQs

How to use "disregard" in a sentence?

You can use "disregard" to describe a lack of attention or respect. For example, "The company showed a complete "disregard" for environmental regulations."

What can I say instead of "disregard"?

You can use alternatives like "neglect", "ignore", or "lack of attention" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disregard for" or "disregard to"?

"Disregard for" is the correct usage. "Disregard to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "disregard" and "disrespect"?

"Disregard" implies a lack of attention or concern, while "disrespect" indicates a feeling of contempt or lack of esteem. Disregard can be unintentional, while disrespect is often deliberate.