distraction

1 a state of mental uncertainty <in my distraction I forgot where I was> Synonyms bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, confusion, fog, head-scratching, maze [chiefly dialect], muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirlRelated Words abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification; agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset; bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fluster, fuss, stew, turmoilNear Antonyms assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness

2 a state of wildly excited activity or emotion <driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house> Synonyms agitation, deliriousness, delirium, frenzy, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproarRelated Words chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil; bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tempest, tumultNear Antonyms calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

3 the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public <a minister who certainly doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means> Synonyms amusement, diversion, recreationRelated Words nightlife, show business; delectation, delight, enjoyment, joy, mirth; gratification, relaxation, relief, satisfaction; exhibition, performance, presentation, presentment, production, show, spectacle; escapism

4 someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment <a harmless distraction for children at the playground> Synonyms delight, fun, diversion, divertissement, entertainment, pleasure, recreationRelated Words escape, pastime, time killer; binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree; frolicking, rollicking; carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety (also gayety), hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling (or revelling), revelry, whoopee; picnic; laugh, riot, scream; activity, gameNear Antonyms killjoy, party pooperAntonyms bore, bummer, downer, drag