inattentive

adjective

in·​at·​ten·​tive ˌi-nə-ˈten-tiv How to pronounce inattentive (audio)
: not attentive : not paying attention
inattentively adverb
inattentiveness noun

Examples of inattentive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An inattentive employee may unknowingly become the first point of failure in the organization’s fraud defenses. Sunny Banerjee, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Co-founder and CEO Kamran Barelli was driven by personal tragedy: In 2018, his wife and three-year-old son were struck by an inattentive driver while crossing the street. IEEE Spectrum, 5 July 2025 White capitalized on an inattentive Knick defense and lit it up at TD Garden for 34 points to avoid elimination with a 127-102 victory on Wednesday. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025 Within the line there’s barely room for breath, yet his delivery is neither frantic nor inattentive. John Darnielle, Pitchfork, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inattentive

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inattentive was in 1692

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inattentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inattentive. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

inattentive

adjective
in·​at·​ten·​tive -ˈtent-iv How to pronounce inattentive (audio)
: not attentive : not paying attention
the student was inattentive in class

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