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inattention

inattention

8 4.6
Not noticing things around you
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnəˈtɛnʃən/
translation icon : desatención
  • Children were referred because of concerns regarding inattention and/or hyperactivity, especially in school.
  • inattention, hyperactivity
  • inattention, impulsivity
  • inattention, distractibility

One of the first benefits that I hope we will see is a reduction in incidents that directly result from driver inattention.

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Examples

  • Driving requires full concentration; any moment of inattention can result in an accident.

  • One limitation of the present project has been its inattention to the families of students with SED.

    Academic text (1991)
  • - Perhaps your inattention is due to the fact that you already are familiar with the work.

  • - I regret my inattention.

  • For all the normal inattention of the human witness, Fred tended to stand out.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The inattention of the children at your displays indicate they would prefer the latter.

  • Undoubtedly, he would grow weary of her silence and inattention and take her back.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The present study examined the relationship between inattention and achievement across Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic first graders.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The sighting had thrown her life into turmoil, which was manifested in insomnia and inattention at work.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association reported inattention to be the primary symptom of attention deficit disorder, displacing hyperkinesis.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

distraction
vsinattention
234 2.9

Something that takes your attention away from what you are doing

is the state of not noticing rather than the object that causes attention loss
sloppiness
vsinattention
5 3.7

Careless, untidy behaviour that shows little attention to detail

is the simple failure to notice, not the messy or untidy quality
obliviousness
vsinattention
2 7.4

Not noticing things happening around you

is the usual failure to notice, not always total or complete
unawareness
vsinattention
2 5.4

Not knowing or noticing something

is the general lack of attention rather than just not knowing facts
blindness to
vsinattention
1 5.7

Not noticing or understanding something important

is the simple failure to notice rather than a deep inability to recognize issues
inattentiveness
vsinattention
1 7.0

Not paying attention that causes mistakes or hurts others

is the general failure to notice or focus rather than causing trouble
heedlessness
vsinattention
1 7.8

Not paying attention to danger or important things

is the failure to notice in general, not only ignoring risks
distractibility
vsinattention
1 7.5

A tendency to lose focus because of things around you

is the actual failure to notice, not the tendency to be pulled aside
inadvertence
vsinattention
1 9.3

Not paying attention causes mistakes

is the simple failure to notice rather than the resulting mistakes
absentmindedness
vsinattention
1 7.4

A state of being so distracted that you forget things and miss details

is the simple failure to notice rather than being deeply preoccupied
inadvertency
vsinattention
9.9

Not paying attention and being careless about work

is the broader failure to notice, not only missing duties
unmindfulness
vsinattention
8.6

Lack of attention that makes you forget or ignore tasks

is the general failure to notice rather than focus on forgotten duties
neglectfulness
vsinattention
6.3

Not giving needed care and attention to responsibilities or people

is the broader momentary failure to notice rather than persistent negligence
distractedness
vsinattention
6.2

Not able to pay attention because your mind is on other things

is the state of not noticing things rather than attention being pulled away
impercipience
vsinattention
9.9

A lack of awareness of what is happening

is a broader failure to pay attention rather than missing perception only
incognizance
vsinattention
9.9

Not knowing about something

is focused on failing to notice in the moment rather than lacking knowledge

Antonyms

1.6

A careful focus on something to notice or think about it

336 3.2

Knowing about something or noticing it

How Attentive

vigilance
33 5.2
alertness
14 2.9
attention
1.6
inattention
8 4.6

Surface Forms

inattention singular
inattentions plural

Morphology

inattention = attention (transparent) = in + attention

This is a straightforward negative formation meaning a lack of attention or failure to pay attention.

Etymology

Inattention comes from the parts in- meaning 'not' and attend meaning 'to give your attention'. So inattention is literally 'not giving your attention', which is why it means failing to notice or pay attention to something.