distracted

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

Updated on: 12 May 2018

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

The Centers for Disease Control figures that daily in the U.S. about nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that involve a distracted driver.

— charles selle, Lake County News-Sun, "Selle: ‘Drop it and drive’ might save county motorists’ lives," 9 May 2018
From 2013 to 2017, 227 fatal crashes involving a distracted driver occurred in the state, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows — just more than 50 per year.

— justine mcdaniel, Philly.com, "Texting and driving 'rampant' in Pa., but few get tickets. Here's why," 4 May 2018
Although uproar is inevitable, driverless technology will eventually be accepted as a moral imperative (30,000 killed by distracted drivers every year).

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Is it a bad time to stop making small cars in the U.S.?," 4 May 2018
Factor in distracted drivers and kids’ increasingly busy after-school schedules, and it’s no wonder that biking is such a tough sell.

— katie arnold, Outside Online, "Why Aren't More Girls Riding Bikes?," 2 May 2018
Burkhardt cops to usually being a distracted driver, but not tonight, with Chubb in the car.

— jenny vrentas, SI.com, "24 Hours ... With Bradley Chubb and His Team at the NFL Draft," 1 May 2018
The Glenview and Northbrook police departments will increase efforts to pull over distracted drivers as part of a partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation during national Districted Driving Awareness Month.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview, Northbrook to crack down on distracted drivers this month," 17 Apr. 2018
The Insurance Information Institute also blames higher rates on distracted driving, more drivers on the road during the economic recovery, faster driving and, in some states, legalized marijuana.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "High-tech features on new cars drive up auto insurance rates," 18 Jan. 2018
Meanwhile Australia's relationship with the Washington has grown complicated under a distracted administration led by US President Donald Trump, who has engaged in a more transactional relationship towards US allies in the region.

— ben westcott, CNN, "Australia admits 'tension' with Beijing over new anti-influence laws," 12 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

distracted Synonyms

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.