as in preoccupied
inclined to forget what one has learned or to do what one should
we become more forgetful as we get older
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forgetful
Lucky for the forgetful reader who checked out the book, the library got rid of overdue fines in 2021, so they won’t be charged a dime.
—
Saul Pink, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Feb. 2026
In those early scenes of Home Alone, O’Hara is not just an avatar for a forgetful, imperfect mother.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The company designed the ring not for the peace of mind of forgetful people like me but because, Oura says, one in 10 users have already bought a spare charger, perhaps so there’s always one your desk at work, for instance.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Now 82 years old, Chase comes off as a surly, forgetful man.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forgetful
Saul Pink, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Feb. 2026
In those early scenes of Home Alone, O’Hara is not just an avatar for a forgetful, imperfect mother.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The company designed the ring not for the peace of mind of forgetful people like me but because, Oura says, one in 10 users have already bought a spare charger, perhaps so there’s always one your desk at work, for instance.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Now 82 years old, Chase comes off as a surly, forgetful man.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forgetful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgetful
Adjective
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Sourcing Similar to other empirical approaches, sourcing analysis studies are also preoccupied with questions of audience voice, among wider questions of power and access to public debate.—
Daniel Jackson,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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Whether despite this background or because of it, young Zac becomes preoccupied with the outward signs of extreme wealth, luxury cars especially, in a manner somewhat precocious but not entirely remarkable for a teenage boy.—
Mark O’Connell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Charmed at first, Nella soon becomes confused and suspicious of her alleged ally as their approaches to racial bias and diversity begin to sharply diverge and the story, told through a past and present timeline, unravels with unexpected twists.—
Laura Zigman,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen showed the new signage in a Facebook post that’s garnered more than 14,000 likes and comments combined — responses spanning from supportive and celebratory, to confused and inflammatory.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There’s something winningly absent-minded about Gosling’s performance here.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 Mar. 2026
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The show offered her five more episodes—her rent for the year—and the absent-minded waitress became a recurring character named Ursula.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hegseth seems oblivious to recent prior experience with infectious diseases in the military.—
Arthur Caplan,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Aasif Mandvi and Christopher Fitzgerald barely register as Jane and Julia’s oblivious husbands, while Consuelos, who plays Maurice as a suave cuckolder with a dodgy European accent, should probably stick to daytime TV.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Everyone was so relieved to see how bewildered everyone else was that the feeling in this place was almost festive.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Numerous cryptocurrency novices become bewildered by intricate decals and fluctuating percentages.—
Malana VanTyler,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forgetful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgetful. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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