staring into space
Gazing at nothing
Staring into space describes gazing at nothing in particular, eyes unfocused, attention turned inward or simply absent.
The phrase implies a temporary disconnection from one's surroundings—daydreaming, lost in thought, or mentally checked out: I found him staring into space, completely oblivious to the meeting.
It can suggest contemplation, boredom, or emotional numbness.
- daydreamingIdle mental wandering
- zoning outLosing conscious attention temporarily
- zoned outMentally checked out
- lost in thoughtDeeply mentally preoccupied
- vacantWithout an occupant
distant · miles away · glazed · unfocused · blank · absentminded · distracted · faraway · trance · in a daze · drifting · head in the clouds · reverie · meditative · contemplating · gazing · detached · preoccupied
- idle timekilling time, passing time, wasting time, whiling away, doing nothing
- inattentiondistracted, absent-minded, distraction, obliviousness, unfocused
staring into spacescrutinizing
Examining something very closely
paying attention · studying · riveted · concentrating · examining
staring into spacealert
Warning or watchfulness
in the zone · engrossed · on the ball · sharp as a tack · immersed
staring into spacetuned in
Attentive and aware
responsive · participating · in the moment · all ears · attentive
stare, stared, stares, staring, space, spaces, spaced, spacing, spacious