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gross negligence

American  
[grohs neg-li-juhns] / ˈgroʊs ˈnɛg lɪ dʒəns /

noun

Law.
  1. in general, an act or practice of negligence that demonstrates a willful and reckless disregard for others’ safety and an indifference to their rights, such as speeding through a busy parking lot: interpreted differently in different jurisdictions.


Etymology

Origin of gross negligence

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

States are also required to check a federal blacklist of providers that committed crimes, gross negligence, fraud or patient abuse, as well as visit providers deemed a high fraud risk.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 29, 2026

The lawsuits they have filed, accusing the Eastlands of gross negligence, are but one of the obstacles as the family pushes ahead with plans to reopen on May 30.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 18, 2026

According to Boylan’s federal appeals team, the term “misconduct” permitted the jury to convict him of something less than gross negligence, contrary to the required standard.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 3, 2026

Two men, aged 33 and 42, who were earlier arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, have since been released on conditional bail.

From BBC Feb. 21, 2026

Thus Baron Rolfe could see no difference between negligence and gross negligence; it was the same thing with the addition of a vituperative epithet.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various

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