distract

verb dis·tract \ di-ˈstrakt \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of distract

1 a : 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

b : to turn aside : divert

refused to be distracted from her purpose

2 : to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives

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distractibility

play \-ˌstrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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distractible

or less commonly distractable play \-ˈstrak-tə-bəl\ adjective

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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

Mississippi drivers are most likely to be distracted by their phones while behind the wheel, according to data from Everdrive, a driving safety app that tracks users’ habits on the road.

— david johnson, Time, "Drivers in These States Are Most Likely to Be Distracted By Their Phone," 18 Apr. 2018
But, distracted by other work, Mr. Silver ignored the film for about a year.

— New York Times, "Found Footage Offers a New Glimpse at 1906 San Francisco Earthquake," 14 Apr. 2018
Beinart implored the national press not to be distracted by compassionate conservatism’s softer style.

— graham vyse, The New Republic, "‘Compassionate Conservatism’ Won’t Be Back Anytime Soon," 30 Mar. 2018
What’s more, a plethora of electronic devices causes new worries, including passengers who are distracted by them during crises and charging cords that could trip evacuees in an emergency.

— bill mcgee, USA TODAY, "Is it time to update airplane evacuation tests?," 28 Mar. 2018
Mitchel Kiefer, 18, was driving on I-96 on his way back to college when he was hit from behind by a a vehicle driven by woman who was distracted by her mobile phone.

— brandon patterson, Detroit Free Press, "Mark Wahlberg honors Michigan teen killed in crash," 28 Mar. 2018
But Andy has not fully embraced her own toughness, being for the series' opening moments more than a little defined and distracted by the dudes around her.

— robert lloyd, latimes.com, "Netflix-bound Shondaland has a parting gift for ABC: the 'Grey's Anatomy' spinoff 'Station 19'," 22 Mar. 2018
Houston beat Portland 115-11 Tuesday night to improve to 57-14 on the season, but some people were probably too distracted by Chris Paul's new kicks to really notice (just kidding).

— demetrio teniente, Houston Chronicle, "Chris Paul unveiled his latest signature shoe during Tuesday's win over Portland," 21 Mar. 2018
Some users don't want to be distracted by options to respond to alerts from the device on their wrist.

— valentina palladino, Ars Technica, "Amazfit Bip review: One peculiar week with a $99 smartwatch," 21 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

distract Synonyms

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

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

Definition of distract

archaic

: insane, mad

First Known Use of distract

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

DISTRACT Defined for English Language Learners

distract

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

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.