ignore

verb

ig·​nore ig-ˈnȯr How to pronounce ignore (audio)
ignored; ignoring

transitive verb

1
: to refuse to take notice of
2
: to reject (a bill of indictment) as ungrounded
ignorable adjective
ignorer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for ignore

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention.

neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Examples of ignore in a Sentence

She tried to ignore him but he wouldn't leave her alone. I'll ignore that last remark. If we continue to ignore these problems they will only get worse. They ignored the warning signs.
Recent Examples on the Web Alderson never envisioned himself as a celebrity, but the reality is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Jack Bantock, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 Because of this, the group has been explicit in its intention to ignore all treaties and negotiations made with Israel or the United States. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024 In the face of such polling discrepancies, the smart move is typically to ignore the results. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 Their quest for love may lead them to constantly pursue unavailable partners, jump from relationship to relationship, or even ignore their own needs in order to stay in a toxic situation. Christina Pérez, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ignore 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ignore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete ignore to be ignorant of, from French ignorer, from Latin ignorare, from ignarus ignorant, unknown, from in- + gnoscere, noscere to know — more at know

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ignore was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near ignore

Cite this Entry

“Ignore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignore. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ignore

verb
ig·​nore ig-ˈnō(ə)r How to pronounce ignore (audio)
-ˈnȯ(ə)r
ignored; ignoring
: to refuse to notice : pay no attention to
ignored his advice
ignorable
-ˈnō(ə)r-ə-bəl How to pronounce ignore (audio)
-ˈnȯ(ə)r-
adjective
ignorer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ignore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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