as in inattention
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Recent Examples of inattentiveness
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
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
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
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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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
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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
Noun
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Could the seizures explain Al-Hashimi’s moments of forgetfulness that Robby has been curious about during his shift?—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Experts recommend placing valuables in zippered pockets inside a bag rather than loose in bins to reduce theft or forgetfulness.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Carl vents to Jesse and Ben, saying Kyle’s snub represents more than carelessness.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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The officials’ performance reflected carelessness in the process.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 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 California, with its history of wildfires often caused by arson or negligence, prosecutors have not shied away from filing criminal charges, including murder, against people suspected of starting blazes or explosions, Taylor said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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Jurors found Smith was liable for negligence in Dalessio’s death and awarded her family $15,235,245, court papers said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lower lids folded inward, placing optic nerves under duress, a literal reflection of breeder shortsightedness.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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His obliviousness is what’s also somewhat endearing but also what’s grounding.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
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After a two-hour tale of comical deception, betrayal, emotional cruelty, insensitivity and obliviousness, the audience is expected to swallow a message of caring and community.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inattentiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattentiveness. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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