attention

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

Direction of the mind toward

Nouns

1. attention, mindfulness, intentness, attentiveness, thought, thoughtfulness, advertence, attention to detail, care, special consideration; observance, observation, [special] consideration, heed, notice, look, note, regard; vigil; circumspection, study, scrutiny, inspection (See inquiry); fixation, undivided attention. See respect, information.

2. (care) diligence, application, attention to detail, absorption (of mind), preoccupation (with).

3. calling or drawing attention to (See indication); consciousness-raising.

Verbs

1. (pay attention to) attend (to), observe, look, watch, notice, regard, take notice, mark; give or pay [close] attention, have an ear to the ground, prick up the ears, keep the eyes open or peeled; be all ears, hang on one's words or every word, harken, heed, be attentive, listen, lend or give an ear to; hang on the words or lips of; trouble one's head about, give a thought to, occupy oneself with; contemplate; look [in]to, see to; turn the mind to, apply oneself to, buckle or knuckle down, have an eye to; bear in mind, take into account or consideration; keep in sight or view, keep one's eye on the ball; have a regard to; take cognizance of, entertain; make or take note or notice of, note, see about, take under advisement. Informal, get with it.

2. (study) examine closely or intently, consider; inspect, review, take stock of; fix, rivet, or devote the mind or thoughts on or to, zero in on; lose oneself, have eyes only for; go over with a fine-tooth comb. Informal, check it out, get a load of.

3. (attract one's attention) catch or strike the eye; attract attention or notice, cut a swath, awaken or invite interest; hold the stage, be arresting or absorbing; engage, intrigue, excite notice, catch one's ear; be uppermost in one's mind; monopolize, preoccupy, engross, tie up, obsess.

4. (call attention to) indicate, bring to one's notice, point out, lay the finger on; bring, direct, call, or draw attention to, mention [in passing], touch on; show. Informal, put one wise to.

Adjectives

1. (paying attention) attentive, mindful, observant, regardful, assiduous; alive or awake to; observing, occupied with, engrossed, thoughtful, wrapped up in, absorbed, rapt, all ears or eyes; intent (on), open-eyed, on the watch or ball, alert, [broad or wide] awake, vigilant; watchful, wakeful, Argus-eyed, expectant. Informal, laser-eyed, on the ball, on top of; turned on.

2. (attracting attention) absorbing, engrossing, eye-catching, catchy, titillating, spellbinding, mesmerizing, hypnotic, arresting; interesting, inviting.

Adverb — attentively, mindfully, devotedly, with undivided attention; in mind.

Interjections — see! look! mark [my words]! lo! behold! hark! mind! observe! lo and behold! attention! ahoy! hear ye, hear ye!; nota bene, N. B., read my lips; this to give notice.

Phrases — the squeaking or squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Antonyms, See inattention.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [The state of giving heed]

Syn. observation, observance, regard, notice, mindfulness, inspection, study, heed, watching, listening, concentration, care, consideration.

Ant. indifference*, abstraction, inattention.

2. [The power of giving heed]

Syn. concentration, attentiveness, intentness, alertness, thought, application, assiduousness, diligence, caution, preoccupation, thoroughness, recognition, regard, vigilance, mindfulness, watchfulness, heedfulness, awareness, consciousness.

Ant. indifference*, inattentiveness, negligence.

3. [Courtesies; usually plural ]

Syn. respects, civilities, gestures, mannerliness, attentiveness, deference, offerings, consideration, kindnesses, politeness, obeisance, genuflections.

Ant. rudeness*, off-handedness, crudeness.

• call attention to,

Syn. point out, indicate, note, bring to one's notice; see designate 1 , remind 2 , warn .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

1. concentration mindfulness, consciousness, awareness, heed, notice, thoughtfulness, regard.

2. observation notice, recognition, regard, consideration, scrutiny.

ANT.: 1. absent-mindedness, abstraction, inattention. 2. oversight, disregard

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. Concentration of the mental powers on something: attentiveness, concentration, consideration, heedfulness, regardfulness. See EXCITE. 2. The act of noting, observing, or taking into account: cognizance, espial, heed, mark, note, notice, observance, observation, regard, remark. See KNOWLEDGE, SEE.