Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

benign neglect

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.33 in modern English

Syllables: be-nign ne-glect
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A policy or strategy of deliberately taking no action concerning an issue, challenging situation, or other problem in the belief that this course will ultimately result in the best outcome possible.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"So tranquil, so quiescent seems Black America in the Nixon Era that a presidential partisan could well argue that "benign neglect" has worked."
"[T]he Japanese have been intervening to hold down the value of the yen, while Washington has been adopting a policy of benign neglect towards the dollar."
"I deliberately choose houseplants that thrive on benign neglect."
"As a parent, I think that it’s time to declare a period of benign neglect when it comes to food."

Etymology

Reportedly coined in 1969 by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, adviser to US President Richard Nixon, who recommended this policy with respect to the issue of US racial strife.

Usage

Uncountable

Phrases

hands off laissez faire let nature take its course let sleeping dogs lie

Frequently Paired Words

hands off laissez faire let nature take its course let sleeping dogs lie

Questions

What does benign neglect mean?: A policy or strategy of deliberately taking no action concerning an issue, challenging situation, or other problem in the belief that this course will ultimately result in the best outcome possible.
Where does benign neglect come from?: Reportedly coined in 1969 by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, adviser to US President Richard Nixon, who recommended this policy with respect to the issue of US racial strife.

How to pronounce benign neglect

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “benign neglect”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “benign neglect”.
Repeat and practice — Say “benign neglect” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.