Ignoring: meaning, definitions and examples

🙉

Add to dictionary

ignoring

[ɪɡˈnɔːrɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

behavior

Refusing to pay attention to someone or something; deliberately not taking notice of or acknowledging something.

Synonyms

disregard, neglect, overlook, snub.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ignoring	Used when someone intentionally chooses not to pay attention to something or someone. She kept talking to him, but he was ignoring her. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away.
disregard	Appropriate when someone shows a lack of concern or respect for something important. His disregard for safety rules caused an accident. The company's disregard for the environment is shocking.
neglect	Used when someone fails to care for or give proper attention to something, often resulting in negative consequences. She was accused of neglecting her children. Neglecting your health can lead to serious problems.
overlook	Used when someone fails to notice something, often unintentionally. He overlooked a critical error in the report. Don't overlook the small details.
snub	Has a negative connotation and is used when someone deliberately rejects or ignores someone in a socially hurtful way. She felt snubbed when they didn’t invite her to the party. His snub left her feeling hurt and confused.

Examples of usage

She was deliberately ignoring him, hoping he would just go away.
Ignoring the warning signs, he continued on his dangerous journey.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

technology

Failing to process, handle, or recognize incoming data or communication.

Synonyms

disregard, filter out, miss, skip.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ignoring	This word is used when someone is consciously not paying attention to something or someone. It often has a negative connotation as it implies an intentional act of neglect. She kept talking to him, but he was ignoring her. Ignoring the safety rules can lead to serious accidents.
disregard	Use this word when someone is deliberately not considering something important. It often suggests carelessness or indifference. His disregard for the rules got him into trouble. The committee cannot disregard the impact of these changes.
filter out	This phrase is typically used in situations where someone needs to selectively remove or ignore unwanted information or content, often in a systematic or mechanical way. You can use email filters to filter out spam messages. The software helps filter out background noise during video calls.
miss	Use 'miss' when someone fails to notice or attend to something, often unintentionally. It does not carry a negative connotation by itself, but it can imply forgetfulness or a lack of awareness. I missed the meeting because I didn't check my schedule. He missed the point of the conversation completely.
skip	This word is used when someone deliberately omits or bypasses something, usually as a matter of choice. It can be neutral or carry a slightly negative connotation depending on the context. She decided to skip the gym today and relax at home. Don't skip any steps in the recipe, or it won't turn out well.

Examples of usage

The system was ignoring the new updates, causing errors in the software.
The phone kept ignoring my touch commands, making it difficult to use.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Ignoring is linked to selective attention, where the brain decides to focus on certain things while tuning out others.
People might ignore others as a way to cope with stress, finding it easier than engaging in difficult conversations.
Social media has made ignoring a common behavior, as users can easily scroll past posts without acknowledging them.

Communication

Non-verbal signals, like turning away or avoiding eye contact, are powerful ways to ignore someone without saying a word.
Ignoring can sometimes be a social strategy used in group settings to highlight someone's exclusion from the conversation.
The 'silent treatment' is a form of ignoring that can express disapproval, often leading to hurt feelings.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, ignoring someone intentionally can signify a serious conflict or disagreement.
Different cultures have unique non-verbal cues for ignoring, such as looking at ones phone instead of engaging in conversation.
In certain contexts, such as politics, ignoring opponents can be a tactic to undermine their influence or presence.

Education

Teachers may use ignoring as a technique to manage classroom behavior, hoping that students will self-correct.
In group work, some students might ignore distractions to stay focused on their task, showcasing their ability to prioritize.
Learning to recognize and deal with being ignored is an important social skill for children as they navigate friendships.

Translations

Translations of the word "ignoring" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ignorando

🇮🇳 नज़रअंदाज़ करना

🇩🇪 ignorieren

🇮🇩 mengabaikan

🇺🇦 ігнорування

🇵🇱 ignorowanie

🇯🇵 無視する (むしする)

🇫🇷 ignorer

🇪🇸 ignorando

🇹🇷 görmezden gelme

🇰🇷 무시하기

🇸🇦 تجاهل

🇨🇿 ignorování

🇸🇰 ignorovanie

🇨🇳 忽视 (hūshì)

🇸🇮 ignoriranje

🇮🇸 hunsa

🇰🇿 немқұрайдылық

🇬🇪 იგნორირება

🇦🇿 yoxlama

🇲🇽 ignorando

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,232 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8229 astonished
8230 colon
8231 obedient
8232 ignoring
8233 telescope
8234 richer
8235 distributor
...