Synonyms of inattention

inattention

noun

as in negligence

failure to carefully think about, listen to, or watch someone or something

Many traffic accidents are the result of driver inattention.

They lost several potential clients through their inattention to detail.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• negligence
• inattentiveness
• forgetfulness
• omission
• carelessness
• neglect
• inadvertence
• neglectfulness
• shortsightedness
• inadvertency
• heedlessness
• obliviousness
• laxness
• misconduct
• recklessness
• remissness
• slackness
• foolhardiness
• wildness
• rashness
• unwariness
• irresponsibility
• malfeasance
• dereliction
• malpractice
• incaution
• incautiousness
• mismanagement
• delinquency
• misdirection
• mishandling
• irresponsibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attention
• awareness
• attentiveness
• alertness
• vigilance
• watchfulness
• responsibility
• circumspection
• observance
• care
• carefulness
• caution
• responsibleness
• cautiousness
• heedfulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inattention

But this isn’t new: Environmentalists have had a deep legacy of inattention, or agnosticism, to the question of race. —Jerel Ezell, Time, 22 Apr. 2025

It's thought that morning people act with more awareness because of their tendency to sleep better and have less fatigue or inattention. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

Out of about 25 studies, more than half identified a positive association between artificial food coloring intake and behavioral outcomes such as inattention and hyperactivity. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

Some symptoms relate to inattention, and others relate to hyperactivity/impulsivity. —Rena Goldman, Health, 16 Jan. 2025