inattentive

[ in-uh-ten-tiv ]

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

/ ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv /

adjective

1. not paying attention; heedless; negligent

Derived Forms

• ˌinatˈtentively, adverb
• ˌinatˈtention, noun

Other Words From

• in·at·ten·tive·ly adverb
• in·at·ten·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inattentive¹

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

Example Sentences

Researchers studying glance data from 290 human-initiated Autopilot disengagement epochs found drivers may become inattentive when using partially automated driving systems.

From TechCrunch

Maternal health organizations often encourage pregnant people to advocate for themselves, to challenge biased or inattentive providers, and demand diagnostic tests like the BNP.

From Popular-Science

There’ll be a cause of it, and there’ll be a vehicle code attached to the cause, if it’s inattentive driving or whatever the case may be.

From Washington Post

He’s also a philandering husband and inattentive father to his two adult daughters.

From Washington Post

In truth, Obama is neither inattentive nor in over his head.

From The Daily Beast

She never liked her mother—a frigid and inattentive woman—but adored her father.

From The Daily Beast

The Row is understated, luxurious, and inattentive to trends.

From The Daily Beast

Plotz was, by his own estimation, an inattentive Jew, a biblical ignoramus.

From The Daily Beast

There came but one thing to grieve the tempers of our members—the service was slip-shod, inattentive, vile.

From Project Gutenberg

Who else would be as charmingly unconscious and inattentive as this American vagabond!

From Project Gutenberg

The Chamber sat still out of respect, but as a fact the members were inattentive.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, those thus affected are quite as likely to be the dull or inattentive as the studious.

From Project Gutenberg

England, though apparently apathetic and inactive, was not inattentive to the situation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apathetic
• bored
• careless
• distracted
• distraught
• indifferent
• oblivious