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
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 inattention
These effects of past trauma can be easily confused with hyperactivity and inattention, classic signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and children may incorrectly receive this diagnosis if caregivers and doctors do not realize the effects of trauma on development.
—
Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Berkeley survey underscored how much inattention is responsible for Democrats' lack of enthusiasm for a specific candidate.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
In counterterrorism, inattention can be deadly.
—Jacob Ware, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
In the end, his sheer inattention to your pleasure was what made the decision for you.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Berkeley survey underscored how much inattention is responsible for Democrats' lack of enthusiasm for a specific candidate.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
In counterterrorism, inattention can be deadly.
—Jacob Ware, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
In the end, his sheer inattention to your pleasure was what made the decision for you.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattention
Noun
-
Rental companies are typically responsible for mechanical breakdowns that aren’t caused by customer negligence or misuse.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
-
Florida accused OpenAI of four counts of deceptive and unfair trade practices, two counts of negligence, two counts of violating product liability laws, one count of fraudulent misrepresentation and another count of causing a public nuisance.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Attorneys representing inmates there said the facility’s culture of violence and inattentiveness led to two suicides and at least 10 severe beatings and stabbings in its final year of operation.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
That inattentiveness to cleaning the floor extended to the bottom shelf of a kitchen prep table and the top shelf of a prep table next to the cookline, each shelf dotted with 100 rodent droppings.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inattention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattention. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
