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.
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Recent Examples of inattention
During a moment of inattention, an enormous wave of insane people rolled over us and buried us deep beneath them.
—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Many involved inattention, inexperience or lack of preparation, issues that can be addressed before a boat ever leaves the dock.
—
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Voter inattention to the issue has contributed to frequent presidential overreach in flexing the muscles of the commander in chief.
—
James Cramer,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2026
Because of their inattention or intentional decision to swear or affirm loyalty to California’s Constitution, other California US Congressional candidates are legally and morally bound to both the US and California constitutions, effectively preventing effective legislation at the federal level.
—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Many involved inattention, inexperience or lack of preparation, issues that can be addressed before a boat ever leaves the dock.
—
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Voter inattention to the issue has contributed to frequent presidential overreach in flexing the muscles of the commander in chief.
—
James Cramer,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2026
Because of their inattention or intentional decision to swear or affirm loyalty to California’s Constitution, other California US Congressional candidates are legally and morally bound to both the US and California constitutions, effectively preventing effective legislation at the federal level.
—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattention
Noun
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The motion does not address the core negligence and wrongful death claims stemming from the crash itself but seeks to dismiss claims related to emergency dispatch and allegations Riverside County officials failed to protect the victims after the collision.
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Charges have since been dismissed against three, including Nores — all of whom were accused of negligence.
Noun
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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.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Inattention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattention. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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