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Definitions

pay attention

VERB
hark
Synonyms
STRONG
listen
WEAK
give heed
VERB
heed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hear listen obey observe take to heart
STRONG
attend baby-sit catch consider dig follow hark hearken mark mind note regard see sit spot watch
WEAK
be aware be guided by bear in mind do one's bidding follow orders get a load of give ear keep eye peeled keep tabs mind the store pick up ride herd on stay in line take notice of toe the line watch one's step watch out watch over watch the store
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore
STRONG
disregard forget misunderstand neglect not get overlook
VERB
look out
Synonyms
WEAK
be alert be careful be on guard beware check out have a care heads up hearken keep an eye out keep tabs listen mind notice peg pick up on scope shotgun size up spot spy watch out
Antonyms
WEAK
disregard ignore neglect
VERB
mark
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attend observe register
STRONG
behold chronicle discern distinguish eye hearken mind note perceive regard remark view watch
WEAK
pay heed take notice of write down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore
STRONG
disbelieve disregard look away neglect overlook
VERB
mind
Synonyms
STRONGEST
notice
STRONG
attend behave follow heed keep listen mark note observe regard respect watch
WEAK
adhere to do as told follow orders pay heed take heed
Antonyms
STRONG
disregard ignore
WEAK
disobey
VERB
pursue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
address chase go after sue
STRONG
call court date rush spark woo
WEAK
chase after go for pay court play up to sweetheart
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore stop
WEAK
discontinue eschew give up retreat run away shun
VERB
regard
Synonyms
STRONGEST
note notice observe respect see view watch witness
STRONG
advertise attend beam behold contemplate eye eyeball flash gaze heed mark mind overlook pipe read remark scan scrutinize spy
WEAK
get a load of give attention look on pore over stare at take into consideration take notice of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore miss neglect
STRONG
disregard forget look away
WEAK
disbelieve
VERB
respect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adhere to appreciate comply with heed honor recognize regard revere uphold value
STRONG
adore attend esteem follow note notice reverence spare venerate
WEAK
abide by be awed by be kind to defer to have good opinion of have high opinion look up to observe of set store by show consideration show courtesy take into account think highly of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disregard ignore neglect overlook
STRONG
hate
WEAK
condemn disobey disrespect scorn
VERB
watch
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attend check out examine follow listen look observe regard scan scrutinize see stare view wait
STRONG
case concentrate contemplate eye eyeball focus gaze inspect mark mind note peer pipe rubberneck scope spy
WEAK
eagle eye get a load of give the once-over have a look-see keep tabs on take a gander take in take notice
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid disbelieve disregard ignore miss neglect overlook
STRONG
forget look away
WEAK
harm hurt pass by

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We should pay attention to what makes practices like film photography so appealing in a digital age.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

For now, the message from bonds is clear—and investors may want to pay attention.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“And in general, we try to pay attention to our fans.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

You have to think about “public perception ... whether it gets overdone and people don’t take it seriously or pay attention to it,” Ghilarducci said of the alert.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Most people don’t pay attention to things like this, so they let themselves become infested with bad bacteria.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.