# irresponsibility

/ˌɪɹəˌspɑnsəˈbɪɫəti/ (US) · /ɪɹɪspˌɒnsəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irresponsibility
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

not doing what you should do, and not thinking about the results. You show it when you forget important tasks or take risks you could avoid.

For teachers: failure to fulfil duties or to consider the consequences of one's actions. Often contrasted with responsibility and implies blameworthy neglect rather than mere inability.

## Examples

- His irresponsibility causes problems for the whole team.
- The manager warned him that continued irresponsibility with deadlines would cost him the promotion.
- The report blamed the accident not on bad luck but on years of managerial irresponsibility that left safety checks undone.

## Synonyms

carelessness, negligence, recklessness, unreliability

## Antonyms

responsibility, reliability

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.