deliberately oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberately oblivious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is intentionally ignoring or avoiding awareness of something. Example: "Despite the obvious signs of tension in the room, she remained deliberately oblivious to the discomfort of her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Referring to complaints about libraries filled with out-of-date books, Justice Lerner chose to be deliberately oblivious.

The New York Times

Empathy," reads Crystal's website, naively or deliberately oblivious to the fact that this is the one thing an algorithm is incapable of.

The Guardian

The look on Cuomo's face was dismissive, irritated and deliberately oblivious to what was going on.

Huffington Post

This matters because Rasmussen is representative of the sort of naïve interventionist, willfully ignorant of recent history and deliberately oblivious to fiscal and security realities, who will flood post-election Washington with demands for America to more expansively shoulder the counterproductive, costly, and dangerous role of world police.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ned is so obtuse (although perhaps deliberately so) that he seems utterly oblivious to the fact that Phil has no wish to talk to him.

Forbes

Two customers deliberately interrupted his reading with loud conversation, oblivious to the fury of the audience and repeated requests that they keep quiet.

The Economist

If Trump is not deliberately flirting with anti-Semitism and anti-Semites, he is regrettably oblivious to their presence.

The Washington Post

Most of his new friends seem oblivious, luckily, to the extent that I wondered again if Roper is deliberately turning a blind eye to his new protege's shiftiness for the sake of some larger nefarious purpose.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Oblivious vendors.

The New York Times - Arts

The customers remained oblivious.

The New Yorker

"Deliberately slow".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberately oblivious" to emphasize a conscious choice to ignore something, especially when the information is readily available or obvious. It's stronger than simply being unaware.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately oblivious" when describing a genuine lack of awareness. The phrase implies a knowing avoidance, not a simple absence of knowledge. If someone is truly unaware, use "unaware", "ignorant", or "oblivious" without the "deliberately" qualifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately oblivious" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which someone is oblivious. It highlights the intentionality behind the state of being unaware, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliberately oblivious" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a conscious choice to ignore or avoid awareness of something. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. The phrase carries a neutral tone, frequently used to criticize or express disapproval of someone's intentional ignorance. Alternatives like "willfully blind" or "consciously disregarding" can offer similar nuances. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intent to ignore, distinguishing it from unintentional unawareness. Despite its infrequent occurrence, its correct application strengthens writing by emphasizing the deliberate nature of the oversight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turning a blind eye

An idiomatic expression for deliberately ignoring something.

willfully blind

Suggests a conscious choice to ignore something, often with negative implications.

choosing to overlook

Highlights the active decision to ignore something.

knowingly ignorant

Emphasizes awareness of the information being ignored.

intentionally disregarding

Similar to "consciously disregarding", emphasizing the intent.

consciously disregarding

Focuses on the act of actively ignoring something.

calculatedly unaware

Suggests a strategic or planned lack of awareness.

purposefully unmindful

Highlights the intentional lack of attention.

studiously ignoring

Indicates diligent effort in avoiding something.

selectively perceptive

Implies only choosing to see what one wants.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately oblivious" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately oblivious" to describe someone who is intentionally ignoring something obvious or important. For instance: "Despite the warnings, he remained "deliberately oblivious" to the risks involved."

What's the difference between "deliberately oblivious" and "willfully ignorant"?

"Deliberately oblivious" and "willfully ignorant" are similar, but "willfully ignorant" often implies a stronger resistance to learning or acknowledging something, while "deliberately oblivious" focuses more on ignoring or avoiding awareness of something already known or easily accessible.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "deliberately oblivious"?

Avoid using "deliberately oblivious" when describing a genuine lack of awareness. This phrase implies a conscious choice to ignore something. If someone is truly uninformed, using terms like "unaware" or "ignorant" is more accurate.

What can I say instead of "deliberately oblivious"?

Alternatives to "deliberately oblivious" include "willfully blind", "consciously disregarding", or "intentionally ignoring depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.