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.
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Recent Examples of inattention
Thanks in part to Washington’s inattention on Biden’s watch, Kim embarked on a profound strategic reorientation toward Russia.
—
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
Voices Hiltzik: Trump and Vance are dead wrong — economists unanimously agree that U.S. tariffs are a tax on American consumers
Sept. 4, 2024
Trump’s tariff orders betray the same inattention to detail.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Attention Binaural beats may help improve attention and be particularly useful for young people who experience inattention.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 13 Aug. 2024
One moment of inattention can lead to major security breaches.
—Maxwell Alles, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inattention
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
Voices Hiltzik: Trump and Vance are dead wrong — economists unanimously agree that U.S. tariffs are a tax on American consumers
Sept. 4, 2024
Trump’s tariff orders betray the same inattention to detail.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Attention Binaural beats may help improve attention and be particularly useful for young people who experience inattention.
—Brittany Dube, Health, 13 Aug. 2024
One moment of inattention can lead to major security breaches.
—Maxwell Alles, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inattention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inattention
negligence
Noun
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Police said the investigation is still ongoing, adding that no foul play or negligence is currently suspected.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
31 July 2025
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The couple is accusing the funeral homes of mishandling human remains, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inattention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inattention. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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