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Synonyms

unfocused

American  
[uhn-foh-kuhst] / ʌnˈfoʊ kəst /
especially British, unfocussed

adjective

  1. not brought into focus; lacking proper focus.

    an unfocused camera.

  2. lacking a clear purpose or direction.

    an unfocused meeting.


Etymology

Origin of unfocused

First recorded in 1885–90; un- 1 + focus ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet works of high seriousness were never his strong suit, as his rambling and distressingly unfocused Eisenhower Memorial in Washington showed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Back then it was hard to get approval from the police, and the march was a chaotic, unfocused event.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2025

Since its inception beginning with 2013’s “Man of Steel,” the live-action films in the DCU were largely derided as being unfocused and dull, lacking the narrative thrust of their competitors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2024

But the collective team, even during the prior playoff season, had times where it appeared unfocused, out of gas or disinterested.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2024

Or the opposite—I’d be supercharged, unfocused, like a radio at top volume flipping quickly from station to station.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

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