1
as in ignorance
a state of being disregardful or unconscious of one's surroundings, concerns, or obligations
her general obliviousness often results in her walking into walls and other hard-to-miss objects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unawareness
the state of being unaware or uninformed
obliviousness of a law is not an acceptable excuse for breaking it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obliviousness
Feel-good party music is usually rooted in escapism, or simple obliviousness, while socially conscious art tends toward the bleak, especially these days.
—
Will Lynch,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
His obliviousness is what’s also somewhat endearing but also what’s grounding.
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
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
In Aspen, Wiseman deployed this method to showcase the casual obliviousness of some of his subjects.
—
Vikram Murthi,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
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
Arriving empty-handed, leaving messes behind, being hours late — behaviors like these reflect obliviousness or busyness at best, or selfishness or entitlement at worst.
—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 2025
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
There is total and telling obliviousness to his giant flat-screen television, tuned to the SEC Network and a women’s soccer match between Arkansas and … Notre Dame.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Will Lynch,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
His obliviousness is what’s also somewhat endearing but also what’s grounding.
—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
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
In Aspen, Wiseman deployed this method to showcase the casual obliviousness of some of his subjects.
—
Vikram Murthi,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
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
Arriving empty-handed, leaving messes behind, being hours late — behaviors like these reflect obliviousness or busyness at best, or selfishness or entitlement at worst.
—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 2025
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
There is total and telling obliviousness to his giant flat-screen television, tuned to the SEC Network and a women’s soccer match between Arkansas and … Notre Dame.
—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obliviousness
Noun
-
Keeping Americans in the darkness about the parts of our history that include systemic racism not only perpetuates ignorance, but is a moral failure.
-
In a world frequently divided by ignorance, bias, violence, and fear, Satrapi offered the possibility of understanding, resilience, and grace.
Noun
-
While most recover, some — particularly young babies, pregnant people and those with weak immune systems — are at higher risk of developing dangerous complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness or even death.
-
While most recover, some — including young babies, pregnant people and those with weak immune systems — are at higher risk of developing dangerous complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness or even dying.
Noun
-
Sonya will frequently feign forgetfulness or cite her underage drinking as an excuse for not remembering.
-
The Link Between Hot Flashes and Memory Many women going through menopause report brain fog, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
Noun
-
Within a few decades, the towns and their landmarks slid into oblivion, sometimes abandoned or, at best, struggling along.
-
In the last episode, there’s a phone call with Frederick’s mother, who’s either in total denial or oblivion toward the situation.
Cite this Entry
“Obliviousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obliviousness. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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