distracted

adjective dis·tract·ed \ di-ˈstrak-təd \

Definition of distracted

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 deranged 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

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distractedly

adverb

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distractedness

noun

See distracted defined for English-language learners

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 of distracted from the Web

President Trump will remain distracted and disengaged (not to mention increasingly unpopular).

— michael tanner, National Review, "Entitlements Are Out of Control," 19 July 2017
Complaints include aggressive and distracted drivers, running red lights and stop signs, speeding, motorcycles zipping between vehicles and drivers blocking intersections.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Survey: Fort Lauderdale, Miami move up on safe driving list," 3 July 2017
And if you're distracted and miss the target, your local and state taxes will be increased by a factor of 10.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "Madigan and Rauner in 'Naked Prey' and modest proposals to save Illinois," 29 June 2017
People walked through the exhibitions looking here and there and seeming a little distracted; their experiences lacked moments of intensity and intimacy.

— clara gari, Smithsonian, "This 155-mile Hike Through the Pyrenees Merges Contemporary Art with Spain’s Stunning Landscapes," 24 June 2017
Right now I’m not even a tiny bit distracted by the notion of grand success, of my giant ego, of glory and specialness.

— heather havrilesky, The Cut, "Ask Polly: I Can’t Pass the Bar!," 21 June 2017
Potential candidates to replace James Comey as F.B.I. director keep removing their names from consideration, perhaps because Trump’s interviews have been so haphazard and distracted.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "No Exit: Reince Priebus Muddles Through His Own Personal Hell," 5 June 2017
Elizabeth seemed distracted -- less interested in family activities, in church, and even in friends.

— josh yager, CBS News, "Killer App," 3 June 2017
Although the statewide enforcement’s focus is seat belt usage, the CHP said officers will also be watching for distracted drivers and those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

— sacbee, "Today in Sacramento: Here’s what you need to know for Monday," 28 May 2017

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

First Known Use of distracted

1576

distracted Synonyms

Synonyms

agitated, delirious, frantic, distrait, distraught, frenzied, hysterical (also hysteric)

Synonym Discussion of distracted

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absentminded, 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.