wilful neglect

collocation in English

meaningsofwilfulandneglect

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withneglect.
wilful
adjective
uk
/ˈwɪl.fəl/
us
/ˈwɪl.fəl/
(of something bad) done intentionally or (of a person) determined to do exactly as you want, even if you know it ...
See more atwilful
neglect
noun[U]
uk
/nɪˈɡlekt/
us
/nɪˈɡlekt/
a situation in which you do not give enough care or attention to someone or something, or the state of not receiving enough care ...
See more atneglect

(Definition ofwilfulandneglectfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofwilful neglect

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Is he aware that if he were a local councillor he would be surcharged forwilfulneglect?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The report is a complete catalogue of sloppy and indifferent management, evenwilfulneglectbordering on sheer wickedness.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The husband, though absent, was represented by a solicitor who admitted the desertion andwilfulneglect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It did until 1958, when the remedy of maintenance forwilfulneglectto maintenance was introduced.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Clause 6 refers towilfulneglectand to the situation of the wife or husband wilfully neglecting to pay reasonable maintenance.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
They might cover a great many cases ofwilfulneglect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Such cases ofwilfulneglecthave occurred, and doubtless are occurring.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I also echo his hope that we shall shortly be able to introduce provisions preventing thewilfulneglectof listed buildings.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I therefore believe thatwilfulneglectin this context would be an unreasonably high standard to prove.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The attitude of magistrates' courts to concepts likewilfulneglectand other matters is highly variable.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Who is to decide thewilfulneglectin this case?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In existing law it is necessary to show that a failure to provide reasonable maintenance is due towilfulneglect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In too many cases, this is not throughwilfulneglectbut because many developing countries lack the resources to pursue more sustainable forms of development.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
A wife is often in a situation of great hardship in having to ensure thatwilfulneglecthas taken place.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That difficulty, of course, would confront any woman who went to the magistrates' courts to-day and alleged that her husband was guilty ofwilfulneglect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It could not at any stage be said that she was the victim ofwilfulneglect, though certainly she was a victim.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There are to be six criminal offences, the main one being the refusal orwilfulneglectto pay the national minimum wage.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I believe that it is nothing short of criminal andwilfulneglectand irresponsibility to allow such massive expenditure without some research.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
But we have not at the present moment any adequate powers to prevent their destruction by negative action; that is, bywilfulneglect.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is notwilfulneglect, but neglect born of familiarity and complacency.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofwilful
Go to the definition ofneglect
See other collocations withneglect