as in inattention
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Recent Examples of inattentiveness
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
Three moments from yet another winless day in the Windy City laid Pittsburgh's inattentiveness to detail bare for all to see.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
Three moments from yet another winless day in the Windy City laid Pittsburgh's inattentiveness to detail bare for all to see.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattentiveness
Noun
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Cyber criminals take advantage of user inattention and insufficient authentication on these websites.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Deputies said driver inattention is a factor in the crash, although the investigation is continuing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Nov. 2025
Noun
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What these succulents don’t handle well is overwatering, so don’t think that giving them a little extra to make up for forgetfulness will pay off.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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Running gags include Moses’ age, certain players’ penchant for forgetfulness and star receiver Stefon Diggs’ proclivity for procreation.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Someone gets hurt, the cause points toward another person’s carelessness, and suddenly, the situation becomes legal instead of just painful.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Coach Sean Miller will focus on his team's carelessness with the ball at half; Texas has nine turnovers compared to two for Auburn.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As for inventions, accident and inadvertence played a role in the development of Post-it Notes and microwave heating.—
Amanda Foreman,
WSJ,
4 May 2018
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The history of the game proceeded through intelligence, but also through inadvertence.—
JAY CASPIAN KANG,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2017
Noun
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Again, what is lost is inadvertency and the element of surprise — the sense that the power of the image is independent of the photographer’s plans.—
TEJU COLE,
New York Times,
18 Oct. 2016
Noun
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In November 2025, a group of other families of campers who died also sued for negligence.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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OpenAI and the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, were named as defendants in several lawsuits that allege negligence, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, wrongful death, and other product liability claims.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a historic example of incredible shortsightedness, Democratic leadership first used the far left for its own fleeting political advantage.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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Cruelty isn’t constant or predictable; it’s more often caused by shortsightedness.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In Aspen, Wiseman deployed this method to showcase the casual obliviousness of some of his subjects.—
Vikram Murthi,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, a stylist has had to cancel his own honeymoon due to delays in the tour, indicating both slavish, life-altering devotion to the British pop star in her coterie, but also her obliviousness to such things going on.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inattentiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattentiveness. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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