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

Among this group, it is characterized by a difficulty controlling phone use, heavy social media dependence, having a preoccupation with notifications and voicing distress when separated from their device.

— Elizabeth Dowdell, Fortune, 15 July 2026
But the version of the classical hero that the film conjures up nevertheless embodies the great preoccupation of Nolan’s filmography.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of preoccupation

Noun

The transfer stops being theoretical For a decade, the 'Great Wealth Transfer' has been a conference-slide abstraction — an enormous number attached to a date comfortably far away.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Yet in an era increasingly defined by digital abstraction and impermanence, fashion designers are newly preoccupied with the tangible and historic.

— Emmanuel Olunkwa, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026

Definition of abstraction

Noun

At his teacher’s direction, Pannakara traveled to Myanmar between 2018 and 2020 to study and practice Vipassana meditation, an ancient technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment.

— Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026
Buddhism assumes that meditation is learned from experienced teachers.

— Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of absentmindedness

noun

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