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.

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inattention

There may be benefits in addressing some symptoms, like inattention or emotional control, but not in impulsivity or other behaviors. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025

Among the inattention indicators the system tracks are head nodding or tilting, yawning, change in eye blink rate, long eyelid closures (indicating something called microsleeps), and gaze drifting from the road for extended periods (what happens when people text and drive). —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Sep. 2025

It’s characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

In 2021, Yesha Yadav, of Vanderbilt Law School, identified structural fragilities in the market, caused by simple cavalier inattention: Why bother scrutinizing the safest thing out there? —Mary Childs, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025