What is the opposite of being diligent as indicated by the term assiduous?

The term "assiduous" refers to showing great care, attention, and effort in a task, which is synonymous with being diligent. The opposite of this quality would be negligence, which signifies a lack of attention or care towards responsibilities or duties. When someone is described as negligent, it implies that they are disregarding the necessary focus and commitment that diligent work requires. This quality contrasts sharply with the notion of assiduousness, where care and effort are paramount. Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the idea of being inattentive or careless, directly opposing the diligent nature of being assiduous.