benign neglect

American  

noun

1. an attitude or policy of noninterference or neglect of a situation, which may have a more beneficial effect than assuming responsibility; well-intentioned neglect.

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Etymology

Origin of benign neglect

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

EMDR’s growing acceptance reflects the understanding that most any kind of early life anguish, from benign neglect or financial stress to parental alcoholism, can have the same impact as a horrific combat experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

We bought a 100-year-old house about 2 1/2 years ago, and while it had good bones it suffered from benign neglect.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

It is this lack of maternal attention that sends Ellis’ two older sisters on different paths, with the same goal in mind: to fill the lacuna left by their mother’s benign neglect.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

This pattern of benign neglect of public safety on the water must end.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2021

Finally, we come to the jealousy and mostly benign neglect of her masters in Cairo, to whom Alexandria and her port were, at best, redundant, and at worst, a reminder of Egypt’s foreign-dominated past.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro