ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
: not responsible: such as
a
: lacking a sense of responsibility
b
: said or done with no sense of responsibility
irresponsible accusations
c
: unable especially mentally or financially to bear responsibility
d
: not answerable to higher authority
an irresponsible dictatorship
: a person who is irresponsible
Synonyms
Examples of irresponsible in a Sentence
Adjective
He's too irresponsible to keep a job for more than a week.
She made irresponsible comments that helped cause the riot.
It would be irresponsible to ignore the threats.
Recent Examples on the Web
Milan Kordestani, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2024
Many are also in trouble, polluted by farm fertilizers and septic tanks, stressed by withdrawals for drinking water, and depleted from irresponsible boaters and swimmers.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024
Presumably, its hosts could be trusted not to say anything irresponsible on the air — guests are always a crapshoot — but everything anyone says is under far greater scrutiny right now.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2024
While Biden’s White House has aimed to cancel huge amounts of student loan debt, Republicans have challenged his plans in court and broadly argue such relief is fiscally irresponsible and unfair to the those who never attended college or already paid off their education loans.
—Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for irresponsible 
Adjective
While psychedelic substances catalyzed significant social movements and artistic innovation, their irresponsible promotion by the music industry contributed to a climate of mistrust and misinformation.
—Milan Kordestani, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2024
Many are also in trouble, polluted by farm fertilizers and septic tanks, stressed by withdrawals for drinking water, and depleted from irresponsible boaters and swimmers.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024
Presumably, its hosts could be trusted not to say anything irresponsible on the air — guests are always a crapshoot — but everything anyone says is under far greater scrutiny right now.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2024
While Biden’s White House has aimed to cancel huge amounts of student loan debt, Republicans have challenged his plans in court and broadly argue such relief is fiscally irresponsible and unfair to the those who never attended college or already paid off their education loans.
—Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for irresponsible
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irresponsible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near irresponsible
Cite this Entry
“Irresponsible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irresponsible. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irresponsible
adjective
ir·re·spon·si·ble
ˌir-i-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl
: not responsible : mentally inadequate to bear responsibility
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