# inattentively

**Pronunciation:** /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪvli/ · in-uh-TEN-tiv-lee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning

Without paying careful attention; heedlessly or carelessly.

## Examples

- The student stared out the window inattentively while the teacher explained the complex math problem.
- He listened inattentively to his friend's story, nodding occasionally without truly processing the words.
- Because she completed the task inattentively, she made several avoidable errors.

## Synonyms

- carelessly — Doing something without proper care or effort, often leading to mistakes.
- heedlessly — Acting without thinking about the consequences or risks, often implying recklessness.
- distractedly — With one's attention drawn away by something else, implying a temporary state.
- negligently — Failing to take proper care, often with legal or professional implications.

## Antonyms

- attentively — With careful attention and focus.
- diligently — With careful and persistent effort.
- meticulously — With extreme care and precision, paying close attention to detail.

## Collocations

- listen inattentively — He tended to listen inattentively during long meetings, often missing key points.
- work inattentively — If you work inattentively, you're more likely to make mistakes and need to redo tasks.
- read inattentively — She read the instructions inattentively and ended up assembling the furniture incorrectly.

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