INATTENTION Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

inattention

noun

Definition of inattention

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 inattention Speed, alcohol, inattention, and disregard for the rules meant to keep everyone safe are among the most dangerous and deadly choices anyone can make on the water. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 Voter inattention to the issue has contributed to frequent presidential overreach in flexing the muscles of the commander in chief. — James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2026 To be sure, Bernanke cleaned up the 2008 financial crisis that Greenspan — through his inattention to the negative implications of financial deregulation — helped cause. — Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 That agreement resolved a union grievance addressing what the union regarded as administrative overreach and inattention to employees mired in lengthy investigations and disciplinary proceedings. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inattention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattention

Noun

In other words, if that water heater explodes, then the investor will be personally sued for negligence in not replacing it, and the liability shield of the real property company is thus circumvented.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
The passengers are accusing Delta of negligence, negligence per se and a violation of the Montreal Convention.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of negligence

Noun

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

Definition of inattentiveness

Browse Nearby Words

in attendance

inattention

inattentive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Inattention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattention. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of inattention

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on inattention

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes