distract

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adjective dis·tract \di-ˈstrakt, ˈdis-ˌtrakt\

Definition of distract

archaic

: insane, mad

First Known Use of distract

14th century

distract

play

verb dis·tract \di-ˈstrakt\

Definition of distract

transitive verb
1a : to turn aside : divert refused to be distracted from her purposeb : to draw or direct (something, such as someone'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

distractibility

play \-ˌstrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

distractible

or less commonly

distractable

play \-ˈstrak-tə-bəl\ adjective

distractingly

play \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

See distract defined for English-language learners

See distract defined for kids

Examples of distract in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of distract from the Web

Mr Putin hopes the World Cup will distract Russians from corruption.

— The Economist, "Extra time and punishmentThe cost overruns on Russia’s World Cup stadiums are staggering," 20 July 2017
For Trump to ignore all that and repeatedly trash-talk his attorney general because of his prudent recusal over the Russia investigation is a pretty clear indication that the president is not just distracted by the probe, but intensely fears it.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Despite Trump’s Rage at Him, Sessions Will Stay On," 20 July 2017
Now, there are hundreds more channels and burgeoning sports to distract us.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chargers will contend in AFC West; Padres found gem in Hand," 7 July 2017
Bond, who was not injured, was found not to be impaired nor distracted and will not be charged, according to Ofc.

— aegis staff report, The Aegis, "Aberdeen 16-year-old trapped under vehicle that crashed into his house," 6 July 2017
There are two other ideas on race and IQ that distract from the issue rather than address it.

— john mcwhorter, National Review, "Stop Obsessing Over Race and IQ," 5 July 2017
The sound of someone sniffing from across the room distracts you.

— hannah boudreau, Howard County Times, "Local man with autism shows courage in joining team [Commentary]," 5 July 2017
There is a connection between environment and stress on both ends, with excessive clutter and excessive attention to detail both holding the power to distract us from our ability to love fully, work productively and relax effectively.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Anxious micromanager learns — happily — to let it go," 29 June 2017
In case you've been distracted by her whirlwind romance with Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez has been busy at work on her upcoming Spanish-language album.

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jennifer Lopez Turned Her New Single Art Into A Full-On Fashion Editorial," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of distract

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of distract

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. the persistent fever puzzled the doctor perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. a behavior that perplexed her friends bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. a bewildering number of possibilities distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. distracted by personal problems nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. the remark left us utterly nonplussed confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. the tragic news confounded us all dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound. was at first too dumbfounded to reply

DISTRACT Defined for English Language Learners

distract

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verb

Definition of distract for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to stop thinking about or paying attention to someone or something and to think about or pay attention to someone or something else instead
: to take (attention) away from someone or something

DISTRACT Defined for Kids

distract

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verb dis·tract \di-ˈstrakt\

Definition of distract for Students

distracted

;

distracting

: to draw a person's thoughts or attention to something else The TV distracts me when I'm studying.

Word Root of distract

The Latin word tractus, meaning “pulled” or “dragged,” gives us the root tract. Words from the Latin tractus have to do with being pulled or dragged. To attract is to pull or draw towards you. To distract is to pull someone's attention away from something. To extract is to pull one thing out of another. To subtract is to pull a portion or number away from a group or from a whole.