absently

Examples

• All

• The other players all remained there in front of my locker, some coughing, others absently shuffling their feet.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Her red fingernails tapped absently against the side of her iced tea glass, riddling holes in the condensation.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Not much of anything," he said absently, looking around for the Turtles.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "Good afternoon, Hael," she said absently, not taking her eyes from the mirror.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "It's like watching dirt burn," he said absently, staring into the flames.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "Of course, of course," Allegra answered absently, pulling him toward a shop window.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Beau stood at the sink, running water absently over his hands.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Boltz's jaw was firmly set as he absently studied his coffee cup.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Mr. Sawyer was standing by the bus door, speaking to the driver and absently herding in the students.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I'm not arguing that with you. Mr. Waturi waves absently at Joe and goes on talking into the phone.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

A

absentmindedly

vsabsently

4 6.4

In a way that shows you are not paying attention because your mind is somewhere else

is a general distracted manner not only caused by busy thoughts

D

distractedly

vsabsently

4 5.1

Not giving full attention because the mind is elsewhere

is a broader inattentive state rather than just momentary pulling of focus

O

obliviously

vsabsently

1 6.5

Not noticing what happens around you

is a distracted state but can still miss obvious external events

A

abstractedly

vsabsently

1 7.7

In a way that shows a person is lost in thought and not paying attention

is a distracted manner that can be less focused without deep thought

F

forgetfully

vsabsently

1 3.2

In a way that shows you do not remember

is about lack of focus or attention rather than memory failure

I

inattentively

vsabsently

6.5

In a way that shows no attention to what is happening

is focused on lack of attention broadly and not specific causes like carelessness

U

unmindfully

vsabsently

7.3

In a careless way without thinking

is about inattention but adds a careless or negligent attitude

Antonyms

A

attentively

9 3.0

With care and strong focus on what you see or hear

How Attentive

inattentively

6.5

absentmindedly

4 6.4

absently

20 4.6

distractedly

4 5.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology