negligent
Adjective
This term carries a heavy weight of responsibility and failure. It describes a specific type of carelessness where a person had a duty to act or protect something but consciously or unconsciously ignored that obligation. It is frequently used in legal or professional settings to assign blame or liability. While "careless" is a general term for being sloppy or distracted, "negligent" implies a more serious breach of duty. It suggests a level of omission that leads to harmful consequences, making it feel more accusatory and formal than simple clumsiness.