omission

A failure to include something that should be present or to do something that should be done.

• The report contains a serious omission.
• Several omissions made the instructions hard to follow.
• His omission from the list surprised everyone.

How to use it: omission from something (Her omission from the guest list was a mistake.)

Similar words: oversight

Common phrases: serious omission, accidental omission, omission from something

The act of leaving something out.

• The omission of names protected their privacy.
• She explained her deliberate omission of the final paragraph.
• The omission of dates made the account less useful.

How to use it: omission of something (The omission of these details shortened the report.)

Similar words: exclusion, leaving out

Opposites: inclusion

Common phrases: omission of something, deliberate omission, omission from something

A failure to do something that you are required or responsible to do.

• His omission left the patient without care.
• The court considered whether her omission was negligent.
• The policy covers professional errors and omissions.

Similar words: neglect, failure

Common phrases: omission of duty, act or omission, negligent omission