distract
verb
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Definition of distract
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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
distract
adjective
ˈdis-ˌtrakt
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Other Words from distract
Verb
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noun
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adjective
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adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for distract
Synonyms: Verb
agitate, ail, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distress, disturb, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, hagride, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, weird out, worry
Antonyms: Verb
calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
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Examples of distract in a Sentence
Verb
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 on the Web: Verb
You don’t get distracted by the linear geometry [of the floorboards]. — Samantha Weiss Hills, Curbed, "A micro cabin in Vermont offers an artist refuge," 15 Oct. 2018 Using one of Hollywood's oldest tricks in the book, the Duchess of Sussex sneakily distracted from her baby bump by holding two large objects in front of her stomach. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Used a Classic TV Trick to Sneakily Hide Her Baby Bump," 15 Oct. 2018 But sometimes, even the decor can't distract from a breathtaking view out the window. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Room With a View: The Best Hotel Views Around the World," 15 Oct. 2018 The animation can be distracting at first; while you can get used to it, watching the show is an exercise in uncanniness. — Patricia Hernandez, The Verge, "The Dragon Prince’s creators want to ‘improve’ the show’s controversial animation," 27 Sep. 2018 This cover will definitely distract you, but in the best way possible! 8. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "10 Best Notebooks to Help You Crush Your Classes This Semester," 5 Sep. 2018 Trying to get through a run without a good, supportive bra that’s right for your chest size can be really distracting—and not in a good way. — Emilia Benton, SELF, "26 Sports Bras Marathon Runners Swear By," 25 Aug. 2018 Option two, don’t get distracted, look for landing place. — Caroline Paul, Outside Online, "Caroline Paul on Her First Emergency Landing," 11 July 2018 The driver behind the wheel of a self-driving Uber that struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Ariz. was distracted by a television show streaming on her phone at the time of the crash, according to a police report. — Jonathan Sperling, Fortune, "Arizona Uber Driver Was Streaming 'The Voice' on Hulu Before Fatal Self-Driving Car Crash," 22 June 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for distract
distract
verb
English Language Learners Definition of distract
: 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
See the full definition for distract in the English Language Learners Dictionary
distract
verb
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Kids Definition of distract
: to draw a person's thoughts or attention to something else The TV distracts me when I'm studying.
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Comments on distract
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