1
a
: free from care : untroubled
careless days
b
: indifferent, unconcerned
careless of the consequences
2
: not taking care
My brother was too careless of his charge.—
Shakespeare
Shakespeare3
: not showing or receiving care:
b
: unstudied, spontaneous
a careless grace
a careless glance
c
obsolete
: unvalued, disregarded
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of careless in a Sentence
He is a careless worker.
She was careless with my things.
It was a careless mistake.
a newspaper known for careless reporting
Recent Examples on the Web
Family contends defendants actions negligent, careless In the lawsuit filed Monday, Yarl’s family contends the teen never posed or issued a threat to Lester, nor did the Yarl do anything to warrant Lester brandishing a firearm and shooting him.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2024
Violators can be cited for careless driving, a three-point offense and civil infraction punishable by a fine.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2024
Local media reported the senator pleaded guilty to careless driving after previously reporting not guilty.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Each of the three has driven the equivalent of circling Earth 40 times, all without a moving violation or accident, while maneuvering hazardous road conditions, gridlock and rural terrain, and avoiding careless drivers along the way.
—Magda Liszewska, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
While engaged to Spears, Aldridge was involved in a car accident and charged with careless operation of a vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.
—Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Ellie shares the bombshell with Gwen and Nick (Andrés F. Roa), the office’s other millennial, both of whom panic over how Joyce, their superior and the subject of that careless remark, will respond.
—Chris Klimek, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The license charge was dismissed and Lightfoot pleaded guilty to careless driving.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
One of the creatures spat out by the Earth in self-defense against us careless people is Battra, a dark version of Mothra with a kick-ass lightning bolt pattern on its wings and a horn that shoots electricity.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2024
Violators can be cited for careless driving, a three-point offense and civil infraction punishable by a fine.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2024
Local media reported the senator pleaded guilty to careless driving after previously reporting not guilty.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Each of the three has driven the equivalent of circling Earth 40 times, all without a moving violation or accident, while maneuvering hazardous road conditions, gridlock and rural terrain, and avoiding careless drivers along the way.
—Magda Liszewska, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
While engaged to Spears, Aldridge was involved in a car accident and charged with careless operation of a vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.
—Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Ellie shares the bombshell with Gwen and Nick (Andrés F. Roa), the office’s other millennial, both of whom panic over how Joyce, their superior and the subject of that careless remark, will respond.
—Chris Klimek, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
The license charge was dismissed and Lightfoot pleaded guilty to careless driving.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
One of the creatures spat out by the Earth in self-defense against us careless people is Battra, a dark version of Mothra with a kick-ass lightning bolt pattern on its wings and a horn that shoots electricity.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'careless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near careless
Cite this Entry
“Careless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/careless. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
careless
adjective
care·less
ˈke(ə)r-ləs 
ˈka(ə)r-
1
: free from care : not troubled
2
: not taking proper care
a careless worker
3
: done, made, or said without proper care
a careless mistake
carelessly
adverb
carelessness
noun
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