inadvertency

noun

Definition of inadvertencynext
as in carelessness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 inadvertency Again, what is lost is inadvertency and the element of surprise — the sense that the power of the image is independent of the photographer’s plans. — Teju Cole, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadvertency
  1. carelessness
  2. inadvertence
  3. laxity
  4. heedlessness
Noun
  • Now his carelessness had tainted her memory of this auspicious day.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Is there a difference in honest mistakes and patterns of carelessness?
    — Joe Perkins, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of carelessness
Noun
  • As for inventions, accident and inadvertence played a role in the development of Post-it Notes and microwave heating.
    — Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 4 May 2018
  • The history of the game proceeded through intelligence, but also through inadvertence.
    — JAY CASPIAN KANG, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2017
Definition of inadvertence
Noun
  • Patients whose jaw shape is not driven by muscle bulk, or those with meaningful skin laxity, may see jowling worsen as the muscle shrinks.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
  • People whose jaw shape is driven by bone, or who already have noticeable skin laxity, usually are not strong matches.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of laxity
Noun
  • How else to explain the heedlessness of his behavior in office?
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Holden’s moral rigor is refreshing in a cultural moment marked by an unsettling mix of cynicism and heedlessness.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of heedlessness

Browse Nearby Words

inadvertence
inadvertency
inadvertent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inadvertency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadvertency. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gauntlet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

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

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All