ABSENTMINDEDNESS Synonyms: 28 Similar Words

absentmindedness

noun

as in preoccupation

Related Words

Relevance

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 absentmindedness After the shopping trip, Kyle is FaceTiming with Boz about Dorit’s spending, her absentmindedness, and her inability to be on time, as if any of this is new. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 Some of her absentmindedness in that situation can be attributed to the sleep deprivation that accompanies life as new parent. — Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Poppy might have learned his lesson after the first one, but absentmindedness is strong in our gene pool. — Maggie Shipstead, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for absentmindedness

Noun

That preoccupation with time has also led to a long-running collaboration with Hamilton, which has worked with Nolan on several films.

— Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
In fact, this preoccupation is the secret theme of these sun-and-sand songs.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 July 2026

Definition of preoccupation

Noun

Brand founder Tata Harper uses it as the first step in her skin-care regimen to plump her skin and improve absorption for the serums and moisturizers that follow.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 29 July 2026
Many local market advisory firms track investment volume and absorption on a quarterly basis.

— Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of absorption

Noun

If your tests need updating every time a developer touches the UI, they're coupled to the wrong abstraction.

— Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Yet American students and scholars flocked in droves to theory, perceiving in its recondite abstractions a thrilling new way of understanding the world—even, some believed, of changing it.

— Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Definition of abstraction

Noun

First Fridays may bring a night market; meditation and healing circles happen in a back room, with Indigenous practices led by Indigenous people.

— Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
This water therapy experience is offered at Habitas Bacalar, a boutique lagoonside hotel, merging gentle over- and underwater movement and aquatic meditation under the guidance of a shamanic aquatherapist.

— Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of meditation

Browse Nearby Words

absentminded

absentmindedness

absent oneself

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Absentmindedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absentmindedness. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of absentmindedness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on absentmindedness

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes