Word: neglected

Associations

Neglected means not being given enough attention or care. It often refers to people, places, or things that are overlooked or ignored.

• Example 1: "The neglected garden was overgrown with weeds." (This shows how a garden can be left without care).
• Example 2: "She felt neglected by her friends when they stopped calling her." (This illustrates a feeling of being ignored in social relationships).
• Example 3: "The neglected children in the orphanage needed more support." (This highlights a serious social issue related to care and attention for children).

A synonym for neglected is "overlooked." However, "overlooked" can mean that something was simply missed or not noticed, while "neglected" suggests a lack of attention over time, often leading to problems.

Substitution

Instead of "neglected," you might use words like:

• "ignored" (which can imply a more active choice to not pay attention)
• "abandoned" (which suggests a more serious level of neglect, typically not just lack of care but leaving something behind entirely)
• "forsaken" (which carries a strong emotional weight, often implying a severe level of neglect)

The choice between these words changes the meaning slightly:

• "Ignored" could mean someone chose not to pay attention, while "neglected" indicates a failure to care over time.

Deconstruction

The word "neglected" comes from the Latin root "neglegere," where "neg-" means "not" and "legere" means "to choose or read." Therefore, it literally means "not chosen" or "not cared for." The suffix "-ed" turns the verb into the past participle, indicating a state that has already occurred.

Inquiry

• Think about a time when you felt neglected. How did it make you feel?
• Can you think of a situation where a place or thing was neglected? What happened because of that?
• How do you think neglect can affect a person’s life long-term?