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Synonym Chooser

How is the word absentminded distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of absentminded are absent, abstracted, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," 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

Where would absent be a reasonable alternative to absentminded?

The words absent and absentminded are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can abstracted be used instead of absentminded?

While in some cases nearly identical to absentminded, 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

When could distracted be used to replace absentminded?

The meanings of distracted and absentminded largely overlap; however, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

In what contexts can preoccupied take the place of absentminded?

While the synonyms preoccupied and absentminded are close in meaning, 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of absentminded O'Brien returns to lend his voice to Lawrence Fletcher, Ferb's sweet but absent-minded dad. EW.com, 7 June 2025 Ludwig Von Drake Ludwig Von Drake is the wise and eccentric professor who is known to be brilliant, but sometimes an absent-minded scientist and inventor. Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025 Your nails go through a lot: handwashing, polishing, maybe some absent-minded picking (guilty). Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025 For Walton, Candide represents an innocent, sometimes absent-minded, young individual who doesn’t know anything about the world—or really that much about himself. Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 That rule is forgiving to absent-minded voters, but slows tallying because those ballots still need to go through signature checks and other processes. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024 Colleagues described him as an absent-minded professor type. Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024 The French might be sad if Emily leaves for Italy, but Americans in Paris are unlikely to shed any tears; many of them have had enough of the Chicago native’s absent-minded cultural blunders. Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2024 Levey, who didn’t keep documentation of his side of the bartering, acknowledges that a less absent-minded customer would have demanded clearer accounting. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absentminded
Adjective
  • To examine this, researchers analyzed data from over 700 young adults aged 18 to 30, comparing emotional regulation and dependence levels across three attachment styles: secure, preoccupied and dismissing.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • In an era where so many action movies feel bloated, impersonal, or too preoccupied with setting up spin-offs, Plane is refreshingly straightforward.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Rory McIlroy had a forgetful opening round at the U.S. Open.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
  • This was an old, forgetful man whose constant drinking added to his failing powers.
    Llewellyn King, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • Guevara had warrants issued for his arrest in connection with charges of distracted driving, failing to obey a traffic control device and reckless driving, which were secured by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on June 20.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • For employers, this means a labor force comprised of people who are anxious, distracted, or simply not there, said Stacy Greiner, CEO of on-demand pay platform DailyPay.
    Susan Caminiti, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The text, translated from French, is presented partly in comics-style word bubbles, and the illustrations of confused, anxious, and increasingly exasperated animals tell a great story in any language.
    Caroline Carlson June 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • College admission often feels like a similar face-off between families, leaving them confused, concerned, and conjecturing.
    Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Absentminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absentminded. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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