Remiss: meaning, definitions and examples

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remiss

[rɪˈmɪs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling of neglect or carelessness

negligent, careless, showing a lack of attention or concern

Synonyms

careless, heedless, neglectful, negligent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
remiss	Used to describe someone who fails to give proper attention or fails in their duty. It implies a sense of irresponsibility. It would be remiss of me if I didn't mention how much help she’s been. He was remiss in his duties as a team leader.
negligent	Used in formal or legal contexts to describe someone who fails to take proper care in doing something, leading to damage or harm. Implies a legal or moral duty of care that has been ignored. The company was found negligent in ensuring workplace safety. Her negligent driving caused the accident.
careless	Refers to someone who doesn't pay enough attention, often leading to mistakes. It can apply to actions, speech, or attitudes. She was careless with her words and ended up hurting his feelings. Being careless while driving can result in accidents.
neglectful	Specifically refers to failing to take care of or give attention to someone or something. Often has a negative connotation implying a significant lapse in responsibility. She was neglectful of her responsibilities as a parent. The garden became overgrown due to his neglectful nature.
heedless	Describes someone who does not pay attention to advice, warnings, or danger. It can convey a sense of recklessness or lack of concern. He was heedless of the risks involved in the project. Her heedless remarks often get her into trouble.

Examples of usage

She was remiss in her duties and failed to complete the project on time.
The teacher was remiss in not noticing the struggling student in the class.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

failing to fulfill one's duty or responsibility

derelict, neglectful, failing to do what should be done

Synonyms

derelict, neglectful, neglecting, negligent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
remiss	Used when someone has not fulfilled their duties or responsibilities, often implying carelessness or a lapse in attention. She was remiss in submitting the report on time He felt remiss for not keeping in touch with his old friends
neglectful	Used when someone regularly fails to pay due attention or care to someone or something for which they are responsible. She was neglectful of her garden, which resulted in many of the plants dying His neglectful attitude towards his health led to serious problems
derelict	Refers to someone grossly neglectful of their duties, often with a sense of abandonment. This word can also describe a state of disrepair. The manager was found derelict in his duties They stumbled upon a derelict building on their hike
negligent	Describes failure to take proper care in doing something, often in a legal or formal context, signifying a breach of duty. The doctor was found negligent in his treatment of the patient His negligent behavior led to the company's financial loss
neglecting	Describes the act of failing to care for something or someone at the moment or during a particular time period. She has been neglecting her studies lately By neglecting to maintain the car, he caused further damage

Examples of usage

The company was remiss in not providing proper safety training for its employees.
He felt remiss for not checking on his neighbor during the storm.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'remittere', which means to send back or let go, reflecting a sense of neglect.
In English, 'remiss' has been used since the early 17th century to describe someone who is negligent in their duties.

Legal Context

In legal terms, being remiss can lead to liability, as failing to act when required may result in consequences.
Courts sometimes accept claims of remissness if a person did not fulfill their contractual obligations.

Literature

In literature, characters who are described as remiss often face troubles due to their negligence, teaching lessons about responsibility.
Famous works often explore themes of being remiss in moral duties, showing the consequences of ignoring obligations.

Psychology

Being remiss can relate to procrastination, where individuals choose to delay important tasks, leading to stress.
Research suggests that feeling remiss about responsibilities can impact mental health, contributing to anxiety or guilt.

Everyday Life

Common scenarios of being remiss include forgetting to pay bills on time or neglecting household chores.
People often reflect on moments of being remiss during busy times, highlighting the importance of time management.

Translations

Translations of the word "remiss" in other languages:

🇵🇹 negligente

🇮🇳 लापरवाह

🇩🇪 nachlässig

🇮🇩 lalai

🇺🇦 недбалий

🇵🇱 niedbały

🇯🇵 怠慢な (たいまんな)

🇫🇷 négligent

🇪🇸 negligente

🇹🇷 ihmalkâr

🇰🇷 태만한

🇸🇦 مهمل

🇨🇿 nedbalý

🇸🇰 nedbanlivý

🇨🇳 疏忽的 (shūhū de)

🇸🇮 malomaren

🇮🇸 aðgætnislaus

🇰🇿 немқұрайлы

🇬🇪 უზრუნველი

🇦🇿 etinasız

🇲🇽 negligente

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,740, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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23737 spree
23738 populate
23739 salve
23740 remiss
23741 disembarked
23742 jeopardizing
23743 osteotomy
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