IRRESPONSIBILITY Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

irresponsibility

noun

Definition of irresponsibility

as in malfeasance

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 irresponsibility On a political level, Shelley’s monster pandemic served as a warning of what horrifying fates might await the whole of humanity if conflict and irresponsibility were left unchecked worldwide. — Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 This tradition viewed progressive nationalism as using promises of reform and demagogic tirades against scapegoats abroad to distract from their own corruption and irresponsibility. — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 The yahoos in our capital would wreck only the state this time and not the whole country, but the irresponsibility is the same. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026 The fiscal irresponsibility and mismanagement of bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course President Tim Carey was the immediate cause of death. — Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 California’s High-Speed Rail has devolved into a case study of bureaucratic incompetence and fiscal irresponsibility. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 This has ensured that fiscal irresponsibility generates solid political benefits at no political cost. — Jared Bernstein, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026 That bill is a prime example and proves current lawmakers have engaged in fiscal irresponsibility, causing near state insolvency. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irresponsibility

Noun

And people used bulletin boards and discussion groups on Chinese Web platforms like Weibo and QQ to report official malfeasance or corruption at the local or regional level.

— Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
The Constitution is clear that states have inherent authority to protect their citizens from corporate malfeasance and don’t need Congress’ permission to exercise that power.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

But that drop in intensity quickly veered into carelessness, with the defence failing to assert its composure amid loose passes and hapless communication mix-ups.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Conflicts and tragedies are almost always the result of carelessness or accidents that spiral totally out of control.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of carelessness

Noun

The suit alleges that Fox's actions rise to the level of corporate negligence under the Ukrainian civil code.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
Irene Perretta died in 2025 at 80 years old after being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus, according to a negligence lawsuit filed by her family.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

The reports come after misconduct findings against some interfraternity chapters in the spring and multiple criminal investigations, according to the letter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
British police acknowledged applying for the warrants under the wrong statutory provision, the judge said while stipulating that the misconduct investigation against the king's brother could continue.

— Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

The country cannot easily increase the pressure because its economic distress narrows the margin for strategic recklessness.

— Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
One of the grid’s most astute late-nineteenth-century critics, the geologist John Wesley Powell, decried its environmental recklessness.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of recklessness

Noun

The beginning of the novel catalogs his traumas, searching for an all-encompassing origin story that might explain his delinquency.

— Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
And a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study found that credit card delinquencies among sports bettors under 40 jumped 26% after legalization.

— Shae Lake, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of delinquency

Browse Nearby Words

irresolution

irresponsibility

irresponsible

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Irresponsibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irresponsibility. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of irresponsibility

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes