Looking for synonyms for not listening? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say not listening.
- Unheeding
- Inattentive
- Ignoring
- Disregarding
- Distracted
- Neglecting
- Unresponsive
- Deaf to
- Indifferent
- Unmindful
- Overlooking
- Detached
- Absent
- Unobservant
- Disinterested
- Unaware
- Tuning out
- Unfocused
- Oblivious
- Preoccupied
Want to learn how to say not listening professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Unheeding
Appropriate Use: When someone is paying no attention despite being warned or advised.
Example: “Despite repeated warnings about data security, some employees remained unheeding.”
2. Inattentive
Appropriate Use: Suitable for describing a lack of attention or focus, often in a work or learning environment.
Example: “During the critical safety training, a few staff members were noticeably inattentive.”
3. Ignoring
Appropriate Use: When someone is deliberately paying no attention to someone or something.
Example: “She was ignoring her manager’s emails regarding the project deadline.”
4. Disregarding
Appropriate Use: Suitable for situations where advice, rules, or important information are intentionally ignored.
Example: “The team was disregarding the new procedures established for quality control.”
5. Distracted
Appropriate Use: For situations where someone is not fully attentive because of external distractions or preoccupations.
Example: “He was too distracted by his phone to contribute effectively to the meeting.”
6. Neglecting
Appropriate Use: Used when someone fails to pay proper attention to a task or duty.
Example: “Neglecting the customer feedback, the company continued with its unpopular policy.”
7. Unresponsive
Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who does not react or respond to communication attempts.
Example: “During the feedback session, several employees were unresponsive to constructive criticism.”
8. Deaf to
Appropriate Use: Used metaphorically to describe someone who is unwilling to listen or pay attention to specific information or opinions.
Example: “The management was deaf to the employees’ repeated requests for better work conditions.”
9. Indifferent
Appropriate Use: When someone shows no interest or concern about what is being said or happening.
Example: “His indifferent attitude during the training session was noted by the facilitators.”
10. Unmindful
Appropriate Use: For situations where someone is not aware or conscious of something.
Example: “She was unmindful of the new guidelines that were communicated last week.”
11. Overlooking
Appropriate Use: Used when someone fails to notice or consider something important.
Example: “By overlooking the client’s specific requests, the project failed to meet expectations.”
12. Detached
Appropriate Use: Suitable for someone who is emotionally or intellectually disengaged from a situation.
Example: “His detached demeanor during team discussions hindered collaborative efforts.”
13. Absent
Appropriate Use: Used for someone who is physically present but mentally elsewhere.
Example: “Although present at the meeting, her mind seemed absent, focused on other issues.”
14. Unobservant
Appropriate Use: For individuals who fail to notice or pay attention to details.
Example: “The auditor was unobservant of several key discrepancies in the financial report.”
15. Disinterested
Appropriate Use: Suitable for a lack of interest, especially in a context where engagement is expected.
Example: “The disinterested tone of the customer service representative was noted in the review.”
16. Unaware
Appropriate Use: Used when someone lacks knowledge or awareness of something happening around them.
Example: “He was completely unaware of the new policy changes implemented in the department.”
17. Tuning out
Appropriate Use: For situations where someone is consciously or unconsciously ignoring or not paying attention.
Example: “During the lengthy conference call, several participants were tuning out.”
18. Unfocused
Appropriate Use: Suitable for describing a lack of concentration or clarity of thought.
Example: “The team’s unfocused approach to the project led to significant delays.”
19. Oblivious
Appropriate Use: When someone is completely unaware of what is happening around them.
Example: “He was oblivious to the growing discontent among his team members regarding work hours.”
20. Preoccupied
Appropriate Use: Used when someone’s attention is absorbed by something else, making them less attentive to their immediate surroundings or tasks.
Example: “She was too preoccupied with the upcoming merger to notice the errors in the report.”
