inattentive
adjective
in·at·ten·tive
ˌi-nə-ˈten-tiv 
: not attentive : not paying attention
inattentively
adverb
inattentiveness
noun
Examples of inattentive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After two inattentive supervisors leave a group of miners trapped underground following a methane explosion during a Valentine’s Day dance, one miner must cannibalize his deceased comrades to survive until he is freed from the shaft — a week later.
—
Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The inconsistency at Adelina extends to its service, with a waitstaff that is generally kind, friendly and accommodating, yet simultaneously inattentive and minimally familiar with the restaurant’s concise menu.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 2 June 2024
President Bill Clinton was relatively inattentive to Asia at the beginning of his administration but later revitalized the U.S.-Japanese alliance and stabilized U.S.-Chinese ties, notably by negotiating China’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
—Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2022
Randle's bully ball and inattentive defense are mucking everything up.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The inconsistency at Adelina extends to its service, with a waitstaff that is generally kind, friendly and accommodating, yet simultaneously inattentive and minimally familiar with the restaurant’s concise menu.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 2 June 2024
President Bill Clinton was relatively inattentive to Asia at the beginning of his administration but later revitalized the U.S.-Japanese alliance and stabilized U.S.-Chinese ties, notably by negotiating China’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
—Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2022
Randle's bully ball and inattentive defense are mucking everything up.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inattentive
Dictionary Entries Near inattentive
Cite this Entry
“Inattentive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inattentive. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inattentive
adjective
in·at·ten·tive
-ˈtent-iv
: not attentive : not paying attention
the student was inattentive in class
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