irresponsible

[ ir-i-spon-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. said, done, or characterized by a lack of a sense of responsibility:

   His refusal to work shows him to be completely irresponsible.

   Synonyms: undependable, thoughtless, unreliable

2. not capable of or qualified for responsibility, as due to age, circumstances, or a mental deficiency.
3. not responsible, answerable, or accountable to higher authority:

   irresponsible as a monarch.

noun

1. an irresponsible person.

irresponsible

/ ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbəl /

adjective

1. not showing or done with due care for the consequences of one's actions or attitudes; reckless
2. not capable of bearing responsibility
3. archaic.
   not answerable to a higher authority for one's actions

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈsponsibly, adverb
• ˌirreˌsponsiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• irre·sponsi·bili·ty irre·sponsi·ble·ness noun
• irre·sponsi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irresponsible¹

First recorded in 1640–50; ir- ² + responsible

Example Sentences

“No more gimmicks. No more gesture politics. No more irresponsible, undeliverable promises.”

From BBC

Some social media users criticised the cyclists for "irresponsible" behaviour such as littering.

From BBC

While there’s underlying support for a more fair, humane criminal justice system, it would be irresponsible to ignore the message voters sent in this election: Californians are concerned about public safety.

From Los Angeles Times

After the talks collapsed on Wednesday night, the chancellor delivered a scathing attack on his finance minister, calling Lindner egotistical and irresponsible for his unwillingness to compromise for the good of the country.

From BBC

De León, who has highlighted the issue in campaign mailers, calls Jurado’s approach to public safety “elitist and irresponsible,” saying low-income neighborhoods would suffer the most.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• capricious
• immature
• thoughtless