Thesaurus

absentminded

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of absentminded

1 lost in thought and unaware of oneʼs surroundings or actions

the grieving woman was so absentminded that she left her key in the lock after opening the door

Synonyms of absentminded

absent, abstracted, distracted, preoccupied

Words Related to absentminded

absorbed, daydreaming, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, intent, pensive, rapt

heedless, inattentive, insensible, oblivious, unaware, unconscious, unheeding, unknowing, unmindful, unperceptive, unthinking, unwary, unwitting, vacant

befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, birdbrained, clueless, confused, dazed, flighty, foggy, forgetful, forgetting, hazy, muddled, scatterbrained, unfocused (also unfocussed)

Near Antonyms of absentminded

alive, attentive, aware, conscious, engaged, heads-up, heedful, mindful, observant, observing, open-eyed, sharp, vigilant, wary, watchful, wide-awake

Antonyms of absentminded

2 inclined to forget what one has learned or to do what one should

an absentminded aunt who some years sends me two birthday checks

Synonyms of absentminded

Words Related to absentminded

absent, abstracted, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, unmindful

amnesiac (or amnesic), senile

befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confused, dazed, muddled, scatterbrained, unfocused (also unfocussed)

lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slack

careless, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless

inattentive, insensible, unaware, unconscious, unheeding, unknowing, unperceptive, unthinking

Near Antonyms of absentminded

alert, attentive, awake, keen, open-eyed, sharp, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake

careful, cautious, circumspect, conscientious, heedful, thoughtful, wary

Antonyms of absentminded

Synonym Discussion of absentminded

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absentminded, distracted mean inattentive to what claims or demands consideration. abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

- walking about with an abstracted air

preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

- too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

- an absent stare

absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

- so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

- was too distracted by grief to continue working

Learn More about absentminded

See words that rhyme with absentminded Dictionary: Definition of absentminded Spanish Central: Translation of absentminded Nglish: Translation of absentminded for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up absentminded? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games