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
Sometimes latency isn’t about inattention but about internal overwhelm.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
Stay vigilant Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The dye has been linked to behavioral problems in children, including inattention and hyperactivity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
Stay vigilant Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The dye has been linked to behavioral problems in children, including inattention and hyperactivity.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattention
Noun
-
Terril Johnson’s wife of more than 54 years, Linda Johnson, of Los Angeles, his son, daughter-in-law, grandson and three granddaughters are suing on claims of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The complaint accused Coconut Grove Sailing Club and three counselors, including the one who operated the motorboat, of various counts of negligence.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At other times, the result can be both immediate and devastating, as seen in many traffic accidents caused by impatience, inattentiveness, or rashness.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inattention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattention. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share