ABSENTMINDEDNESS Synonyms: 28 Similar Words

absentmindedness

noun

as in preoccupation

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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

Scientists at Macquarie University in Australia have highlighted how our growing preoccupation with sleep hygiene might not be in our best interests, and in turn may be leading to more issues at night.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
Trump’s preoccupation with authoritarian strongmen like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is a slap in the face of a Cuban refugee trying to make a life for his family in Miami.

— S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of preoccupation

Noun

Fiber helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, while the fat and protein in peanut butter further slow digestion.

— Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
Researchers have investigated oral films as a potential delivery platform for peptides, although achieving reliable absorption and bioavailability remains a significant challenge, according to 2026 research.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of absorption

Noun

One of Lichtenstein’s takes on Monet in this show features the cathedral buried beneath a matrix of black dots set atop a deep blue background, in what may count as an allusion to Ad Reinhardt’s blue-on-blue abstractions of the ’50s.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The other songs play out at a higher level of abstraction and metaphor.

— Sean Wilentz, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of abstraction

Noun

Her team’s meta-analysis found that activities that increase physiological arousal generally did not reduce anger, while relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, and slow breathing consistently helped.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The trajectories separated into four distinct clusters corresponding to rest, meditation, music, and the movie.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of meditation

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absentminded

absentmindedness

absent oneself

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“Absentmindedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absentmindedness. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of absentmindedness

noun

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