willful neglect
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A deliberate and intentional failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility, characterized by a conscious disregard for obligations. It implies a knowing and purposeful omission of required care or action.
Usage
This term is used to describe a serious form of negligence where the person knows what they should do but consciously chooses not to do it. It is often used in legal, professional, and formal personal contexts to assign blame for a failure that was not accidental.
Examples
- His willful neglect of his duties led to the project's catastrophic failure.
- The court found the landlord guilty of willful neglect for ignoring the unsafe living conditions.
- Her willful neglect of her studies resulted in her failing the semester.
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: In law, "willful neglect" often distinguishes a mere mistake from a culpable, intentional disregard for rules or safety, potentially leading to enhanced penalties or liability.
- The charge was upgraded from negligence to willful neglect, as evidence showed he knew about the hazard.
- Formal Accusation: It is a strong term used in formal reprimands or charges.
- The employee was terminated for willful neglect of company protocols.
Variants and Related Words
- Willful (adj., US spelling; also wilful in UK spelling): Describes an action done deliberately, especially one that is stubborn or contrary to instruction.
- Neglect (n./v.): The more general term for failing to care for or give proper attention to something or someone. "Willful neglect" is a specific, aggravated type of neglect.
- Dereliction (n.): A formal word for the shameful failure to fulfill one's duties, very close in meaning to "willful neglect."
- Delinquency (n.): Misconduct or failure in duty, often used in legal contexts (e.g., juvenile delinquency) or financial contexts (e.g., loan delinquency).
Synonyms
- Deliberate negligence
- Intentional disregard
- Dereliction of duty
- Culpable neglect
Antonyms
- Diligence
- Carefulness
- Attentiveness
- Fulfillment of duty
Related Phrases
- Willful blindness: A legal principle where a person intentionally avoids learning the truth to avoid responsibility, closely related to the concept of willful neglect.
- The manager's willful blindness to the safety violations was deemed as bad as willful neglect.
- Gross negligence: An extreme lack of care, representing a severe departure from the standard of care. "Willful neglect" can be considered a subset or a type of gross negligence that involves intent.
Noun
- a tendency to be negligent and uncaring
- he inherited his delinquency from his father
- his derelictions were not really intended as crimes
- his adolescent protest consisted of willful neglect of all his responsibilities