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

Other Word Forms

• inattentively adverb
• inattentiveness noun
• inattention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inattentive¹

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

Example Sentences

In an inspection report, the board reported that staff members of the facility were inadequately trained, inattentive to juveniles during safety checks and unfairly confined youth to their rooms.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, she’s a household name, which is no small consideration in a state as vast and politically inattentive as California.

From Los Angeles Times

Charlotin believes that the superficially authentic tone of AI bots’ output may encourage overworked or inattentive lawyers to accept bogus citations without double-checking.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Jurors ultimately decided that Penny was not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, which “involves causing someone's death by acting in a manner that was reckless, inattentive, or careless.”

From Salon

Related Words

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