UNFOCUSED Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

unfocused

adjective

variants also unfocussed

Definition of unfocused

as in muddled

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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 unfocused Despite the conversations on AI and the state of the art market, the Summit seemed oddly unfocused. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026 Defense and conditioning needs work In what has been a role reversal for a man who was lauded as a stopper in Ann Arbor, Lendeborg’s hot shooting has been balanced out by his unfocused defense. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 Heavy on grooves and jams, this album sometimes feels unfocused and indulgent. — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Rather than casting wide nets with unfocused stops, officers act on verified information. — Charles "chuck" Broadway, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfocused

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfocused

Adjective

There is the muddled terrorist plot, the corrupt politician, the love interest who looks thirty to fifty years Breen’s junior; in fact, there are arguably two of them, and at least one is responsible for the betrayal .

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Xabi Alonso’s Madrid, for stretches of last season, looked tactically muddled and defensively exposed.

— Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of muddled

Adjective

When kids first got online, parents were bewildered and alarmed, but kids, who tend to gravitate to new technology, found freedom in a space that was basically ungoverned.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
That bewildered shake of the head after Meyer's pitch in that video is not a rare occurrence for Raleigh this year.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewildered

Adjective

Susan Blanchard co-starred as Tina Kelly, his scatterbrained housekeeper.

— Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The novel begins on a Monday afternoon like any other at its three adolescent central characters’ loving but scatterbrained aunt Xía’s house in Miami.

— Juan Vidal, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Definition of scatterbrained

Adjective

The event was somewhat shambolic, with confused chefs stopping for selfies with Bibendum as the host tried to move things along.

— Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
The adoption of this policy came very late in the summer and after a more tentative earlier policy that mainly confused educators and parents.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of confused

Adjective

Or, for those on his level or a step ahead of it, maybe just bemused chatter at a coastal dinner party in desperate need of a conversation steroid shot.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
To his right, a young man is shooting on his iPhone while his friend interviews a bemused passerby.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of bemused

Adjective

Not long ago, a senile American president’s plan to lead democracies in a battle with autocracies was being applauded by post-1989 Atlanticists such as Anne Applebaum and Adam Michnik.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
They are being given directions by a senile old man who is losing his mind.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026

Definition of senile

Adjective

In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent for designing their apps in ways that caused children to become addicted and suffer mental-health harms.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Under Assembly Bill 2, social media companies could face fines of up to $1 million per child for negligent harm.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of negligent

Browse Nearby Words

unflinching

unfocused

unfold

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Style

“Unfocused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfocused. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfocused

adjective

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