inattentive
adjective
in·at·ten·tive
ˌi-nə-ˈten-tiv 
: not attentive : not paying attention
inattentively
adverb
inattentiveness
noun
Examples of inattentive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In many cases, voters did not even bother to read the names on the ballots, enabling some unscrupulous politicos to use their opponents’ symbols to trick inattentive voters.
—
Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
This is particularly true of females with the disorder, whose behavior as children tends to be more inattentive than hyperactive like the stereotypical boy with ADHD.
—Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
Such maneuverings were particularly effective in areas where the state’s presence was weak or inattentive.
—Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024
Many cities submitted petitions to an inattentive Parliament.
—Devoney Looser, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inattentive 
Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
This is particularly true of females with the disorder, whose behavior as children tends to be more inattentive than hyperactive like the stereotypical boy with ADHD.
—Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
Such maneuverings were particularly effective in areas where the state’s presence was weak or inattentive.
—Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024
Many cities submitted petitions to an inattentive Parliament.
—Devoney Looser, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inattentive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inattentive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Inattentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inattentive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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inattentive
adjective
in·at·ten·tive
-ˈtent-iv
: not attentive : not paying attention
the student was inattentive in class
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