distracted

adjective

dis·​tract·​ed di-ˈstrak-təd How to pronounce distracted (audio)
1
: having one's thoughts or attention drawn away : unable to concentrate or give attention to something
a distracted driver
… everyone else … is too distracted to see how lost and yearning she has become …Richard Schickel
… used to get so distracted by cellphone conversations overheard on the bus that she couldn't focus on reading.Roni Caryn Rabin
2
: harassed, confused, or disturbed especially by strong feelings
a mind distracted by grief
… putting that poor gentleman through a course of questions that nearly drove him distracted.Louisa May Alcott
distractedly adverb
distractedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for distracted

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absent-minded, distracted mean inattentive to what claims or demands consideration.

abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Examples of distracted in a Sentence

If you're feeling distracted, take a break. she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There may also be internal challenges like unclear objectives or miscommunication that have caused a team to become distracted. Stephen Spratley, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Bring an entirely fresh perspective and identify a weakness the industry is too distracted to see. 2. Patrick Shorb, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024 Max and Avery head to her rescue — creating an opportunity for some flirtation away from Tristan — but are too distracted by the woman’s impending doom to make any romantic progress. Claire Franken, TVLine, 24 Oct. 2024 The research is plentiful that distracted students are at a disadvantage and that unrestricted cell phone usage leads to bullying and worse. Victoria Le, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for distracted 

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of distract entry 1

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of distracted was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near distracted

Cite this Entry

“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distracted. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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