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Synonyms

inattentive

American  
[in-uh-ten-tiv] / ˌɪn əˈtɛn tɪv /

adjective

  1. not attentive; negligent.

    Inattentive or careless driving is a serious issue, and cell phones clearly contribute to it.
    Synonyms:
    thoughtless, slipshod, slapdash, remiss, regardless, neglectful, irresponsible, careless
    Antonyms:
    mindful, thoughtful, careful

  2. characterized by or exhibiting a lack of focus or concentration.

    Most children are occasionally inattentive, distractible, impulsive, or highly active.
    Synonyms:
    oblivious, faraway, dreamy, distracted, abstracted, absent-minded, absent, ditzy, unmindful, heedless, distrait, preoccupied
    Antonyms:
    mindful, thoughtful, careful
inattentive British  
/ ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv /

adjective

  1. not paying attention; heedless; negligent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • inattention noun
  • inattentively adverb
  • inattentiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of inattentive

First recorded in 1735–45; in- 3 + attentive

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.

Humans are not just inattentive; they are irrational in a profoundly emotional sense.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2025

Athletes and entertainers lose money because they’re inattentive, make risky investments and overspend on loved ones and expensive toys, financial experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

The filing also says the Dali was manned by "an incompetent crew that was inattentive to its duties" and "lacked proper training".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2024

Vogt earlier said most collisions were caused by inattentive or impaired human drivers, not the AVs.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2023

Dad either noticed and is saying nothing, or he really is the most inattentive man in the world, like Mom used to say.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.