Unseeing: meaning, definitions and examples

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unseeing

[ʌnˈsiːɪŋ ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing a person's gaze

Not seeing or noticing something, especially because one is not paying attention or is lost in thought.

Synonyms

inattentive, oblivious, unobservant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unseeing	Used to describe someone who is not noticing something right in front of them, often because of being lost in thought or distracted. He walked down the street with unseeing eyes, lost in his own world.
unobservant	Used to describe someone who does not notice or pay attention to details or surroundings, often resulting in missed information. He was unobservant and missed the sign warning of danger.
inattentive	Used to describe someone who is not paying attention, often in a setting like a classroom, meeting, or while performing a task. The teacher had to repeat instructions because the students were inattentive.
oblivious	Used to describe someone who is completely unaware of something that is often obvious to others, and this is sometimes used to imply a lack of concern. She was oblivious to the fact that everyone was staring at her.

Examples of usage

He stood unseeing, lost in his own world.
Her unseeing eyes stared blankly ahead.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term combines 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'seeing', emphasizing absence of sight or awareness.
Words with 'un-' often reverse the meaning, similar to 'happy' and 'unhappy', making 'unseeing' a clear negation of seeing.

Psychology

People sometimes 'unsee' troubling images or thoughts as a coping mechanism to protect their mental health.
The concept is linked to denial, where individuals might ignore obvious signs or facts to maintain emotional stability.

Literature

In literature, the idea of 'unseeing' often appears in themes related to enlightenment and the struggle against ignorance.
Writers use 'unseeing' to explore characters who refuse to acknowledge harsh truths, enhancing dramatic tension.

Art

Artists sometimes depict the act of 'unseeing' by creating pieces that challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable realities.
The concept can be visualized through shadowy or obscured imagery that reflects themes of avoidance.

Pop Culture

Movies often feature characters who choose to 'unsee' traumatic events, emphasizing the struggle with memory and acceptance.
The phrase 'I can't unsee that' has become popular in everyday conversation, highlighting the lasting impact of shocking experiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "unseeing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cego

🇮🇳 अदृश्य

🇩🇪 blind

🇮🇩 buta

🇺🇦 сліпий

🇵🇱 ślepy

🇯🇵 目が見えない

🇫🇷 aveugle

🇪🇸 ciego

🇹🇷 kör

🇰🇷 눈이 먼

🇸🇦 أعمى

🇨🇿 slepý

🇸🇰 slepý

🇨🇳 失明的

🇸🇮 slepi

🇮🇸 blindur

🇰🇿 соқыр

🇬🇪 ბრმა

🇦🇿 kor

🇲🇽 ciego

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,684 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31681 geisha
31682 serried
31683 amatory
31684 unseeing
31685 erbium
31686 upmarket
31687 antisemitic
...