carelessness Play nounFailure to give sufficient attention to avoiding harm or errors; negligence. SYNONYMS clumsinessderelictionforgetfulnessheedlessnessimpetuosityimprovidenceinattentioninattentivenessineptitudeirresponsibilitylaxitylaxnessnegligenceomissionoversightrashnessrecklessnessremissnessslacknesssloppinessthoughtlessness