distract

¹dis·tract

adjective \di-ˈstrakt, ˈdis-ˌtrakt\

Definition of DISTRACT

archaic

: insane, mad

First Known Use of DISTRACT

14th century

Rhymes with DISTRACT

abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked

²dis·tract

transitive verb \di-ˈstrakt\

Definition of DISTRACT

1

a : to turn aside : divert <refused to be distracted from her purpose>

b : to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time <was distracted by a sudden noise>

2

: to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives

— dis·tract·i·bil·i·ty \-ˌstrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— dis·tract·ible also dis·tract·able \-ˈstrak-tə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·tract·ing·ly \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of DISTRACT

1. You sneak into his room while I distract him.
2. He was distracted from his studies.
3. The students are easily distracted, especially when they're tired.
4. I was distracted by a loud noise.
5. The local story distracted attention from news of the war overseas.

Origin of DISTRACT

Middle English, from Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, literally, to draw apart, from dis- + trahere to draw

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISTRACT

Synonyms

abstract, call off, detract, divert, throw off

Antonyms

calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Related Words

amuse, beguile, entertain; stray, wander

Near Antonyms

concentrate, focus

See Synonym Discussion at puzzle