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
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
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The lawsuit accuses federal agents of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, false arrest, and gross negligence.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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Thai police charged a train driver with negligence after a crash on Saturday in central Bangkok killed eight and injured 32.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
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.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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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.—
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 24 May. 2026.
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