The antonym of the word 'attentive' is ____.

Another Explanation (3):

The Antonym of the Word 'Attentive'

Meaning of 'Attentive'

The word 'attentive' is an adjective that describes someone who is paying close attention to something, being alert, or showing interest and focus. For example:

"The teacher was attentive to the students' needs."
"He was very attentive during the meeting."

Antonym of 'Attentive'

To find the antonym (opposite) of a word, we need to look for a term that signifies the opposite meaning. Since 'attentive' refers to being alert or focused, the opposite would indicate a lack of focus or awareness.

Explanation of Each Option

A. attention (Incorrect)

Explanation: The word 'attention' is a noun that refers to the act of focusing or the state of being attentive. It is not an antonym to 'attentive.' It simply represents the concept of paying attention but does not imply the opposite of being focused or alert.
Example: "He gave his full attention to the lecture."
Conclusion: This is not the correct antonym of 'attentive'.

B. attentively (Incorrect)

Explanation: The word 'attentively' is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done, meaning 'with attention' or 'in an attentive manner.' It is actually a form of the word 'attentive' and thus cannot be the antonym of 'attentive.'
Example: "She listened attentively to the speaker."
Conclusion: This is not the correct antonym of 'attentive'.

C. inattentive (Correct)

Explanation: The word 'inattentive' is the direct antonym of 'attentive.' It is an adjective that means not paying attention, not focused, or not alert. It represents a lack of attention or awareness, which is the opposite of being attentive.
Example: "The student was inattentive during the class and missed important details."
Conclusion: This is the correct antonym of 'attentive.'

D. inattentively (Incorrect)

Explanation: The word 'inattentively' is an adverb that describes the manner of doing something in a distracted or unfocused way. It is related to 'inattentive' but does not directly serve as an antonym to 'attentive.' While it implies a lack of attention, it is not an adjective that describes a person or thing in the same way 'attentive' does.
Example: "He listened inattentively to the instructions."
Conclusion: This is not the correct antonym of 'attentive'.

Summary of the Answer

The correct antonym of the word 'attentive' is 'inattentive' because it directly refers to someone who is not paying attention or is distracted, which is the opposite of being focused and alert.

Final Answer:

✅ C. inattentive