1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
in my distraction I forgot where I was
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in entertainment
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public
the founder of a recovery program who doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in diversion
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
a harmless distraction for children at the playground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distraction
These speculative diagnoses are a distraction.
—
Kathryn Anne Edwards, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
After the further distraction of a fraternity during his son’s sophomore year, Dad called Zinner home for a year — to the University of Miami.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Its abstraction feels less evasive than connective, demanding engagement with the core fear rather than the distraction of specifics; the threat can no longer be imagined as some specific other — some other government, some other madman.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
That means no eyes on cell phones, no drinking, no distractions — just watching the water.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Kathryn Anne Edwards, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
After the further distraction of a fraternity during his son’s sophomore year, Dad called Zinner home for a year — to the University of Miami.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Its abstraction feels less evasive than connective, demanding engagement with the core fear rather than the distraction of specifics; the threat can no longer be imagined as some specific other — some other government, some other madman.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
That means no eyes on cell phones, no drinking, no distractions — just watching the water.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
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The abrupt departure stunned the crowd, prompting confusion both in the audience and among his bandmates.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Teddy’s reasoning is a confusion of save-the-world alarmism, garden-variety derangement, unhealed trauma, and single-minded revenge.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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LaVine and Monk whipped the crowd into a frenzy, combining to make 17 of 32 from the field and 10 of 18 from 3-point range as the Kings bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Despite the latest meme stock frenzy, Beyond Meat has nonetheless still fallen 23% so far in 2025 after tumbling 58% in 2024.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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Mikita Brottman and David Brottman point out that the latter, more sensational, mode was often the more appealing in entertainment.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The diversion to Pussycat hit territory was only a momentary one for the moment, veritably a trailer for the show’s finale.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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Mental health diversion was granted in the case, which, according to prosecutors, was dismissed in 2022.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Neptune retrograde in Pisces, on the other hand, dissolves the fog of illusion, which also serves as an invitation to confront an emotional truth with clarity and compassion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Documents gone, Ma embarks on a weeklong rampage while readers also get to know teenage thief Boomba.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Jennifer’s Body follows two polar opposite best friends, the outgoing Jennifer and bookish Needy (Amanda Seyfried), whose friendship takes a turn when the former embarks on a murderous rampage of her male classmates.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Behind the scenes Six Flags Entertainment is a regional amusement-resort operator with approximately 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the United States, Canada and Mexico.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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Taking place at the City Center Bishop Ranch, the event invites both pets and their owners to don outfits and strut their stuff for the amusement of the general public.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Balloon Balloon Balloon is fun for you, too — a sheer delight for any fan of homemade guitar pop.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
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That's right, Dairy Queen is getting in the holiday spirit with a new menu full of seasonal delights.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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