uncared-for
/'ʌn'keədfɔ:/
Definition
Adjective: Lacking needed care and attention; not looked after properly.
Usage
The adjective uncared-for describes a person, animal, place, or thing that has been neglected and is in a poor condition because no one has provided the necessary maintenance, cleaning, or emotional support.
Examples
- The garden was uncared-for, with weeds choking the flowerbeds.
- She felt sorry for the uncared-for stray cat.
- The old, uncared-for building was scheduled for demolition.
Advanced Usage
- Emotional Neglect: The term can extend to describe a person who feels emotionally neglected.
- He grew up feeling uncared-for and lonely.
- Formal/Descriptive Context: It is often used in formal reports, descriptive writing, or social commentary to highlight neglect.
- The report highlighted the plight of uncared-for elderly patients.
Variants and Related Words
- Uncared for (Phrasal Adjective): The hyphenated form "uncared-for" is standard when used attributively (before a noun). It can sometimes be written without a hyphen when used predicatively (after a linking verb like 'was' or 'seemed').
- An uncared-for child. (Attributive)
- The child seemed uncared for. (Predicative)
- Care (Verb): The root word, meaning to look after or provide for.
- Cared-for (Adjective): The opposite state, meaning looked after and tended to.
Synonyms
- Neglected: Suffering a lack of proper care.
- Abandoned: Left completely and permanently.
- Untended: Not looked after or maintained (often for places/things).
- Forlorn: Appearing sad and lonely due to abandonment or neglect.
Antonyms
- Cared-for
- Maintained
- Tended
- Cherished
- Nurtured
Related Phrases and Concepts
- To leave someone/something uncared for: The verbal phrase describing the act of neglect.
- It is cruel to leave a pet uncared for.
- State of neglect: A condition resulting from being uncared-for over time.
Adjective
-
lacking needed care and attention
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