Meaning & use

irresponsible

adjective·Everyday

Not showing a proper sense of duty or care; acting without considering the consequences.

See it in a sentence

Leaving the campfire burning unattended was an irresponsible thing to do.

Critics called the policy irresponsible, warning it would burden future taxpayers with debt.

A note on using this word

Irresponsible judges a failure of duty or care, stronger than merely "careless," which can describe a simple accident.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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