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
Luckily, Hero is on hand, and as Jerome extends his stay ever longer — hence the 100 nights of the title — Cherry’s maid offers to provide distractions.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
The women suffer from their men’s distractions but have, seemingly, little life of their own.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That next chapter, thus far, has comprised a 2-4 record (0-2 in the ACC), and a parade of off-the-field distractions, many involving the 73-year-old Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who also serves as his business manager.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Friday’s decision is thought to be Andrew’s own, and was made in recognition of the fact that his personal issues continue to be a distraction from the wider work of the royal family, his statement Friday said.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Damon Wise, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
The women suffer from their men’s distractions but have, seemingly, little life of their own.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That next chapter, thus far, has comprised a 2-4 record (0-2 in the ACC), and a parade of off-the-field distractions, many involving the 73-year-old Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who also serves as his business manager.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Friday’s decision is thought to be Andrew’s own, and was made in recognition of the fact that his personal issues continue to be a distraction from the wider work of the royal family, his statement Friday said.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 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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One issue is that hypnosis has long been viewed as a form of entertainment, a stage show with a hypnotist and an audience, which can give viewers a sense that hypnosis is something done to you rather than a process that a person is led through.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The analysis quantified the capacity absorbed by round-Africa diversions across Asia-to-Europe and some Asia-to-North America East Coast services, accounting for roughly four additional vessels needed per round trip for affected services.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
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On July 8, Gill entered a pretrial diversion agreement in Greenwood City Court after he was charged for a fifth time with driving while suspended.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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About 15 miles away, a National Geographic cruise ship carrying around 150 passengers and crew started to move backward, pulled by suddenly shifting currents through an eerie fog.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Patchy dense fog will result in sudden changes in visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This film is situated as a direct sequel to Halloween II, giving us a chance to check in with Laurie Strode 20 years after Michael Myers' first rampage.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 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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An airline passenger shared their delight after taking their spot on a flight and finding an adorable dog staring at them from the seats in front.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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The four-time Tony winner closed out her speech with an Irish blessing — sung a capella, much to the crowd’s delight.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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