distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion di-ˈstrak-shən 

1

: something that distracts : an object that directs one's attention away from something else

turned off her phone to limit distractions

One created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.

especially : amusement

a harmless distraction

a book of word puzzles and other distractions

2

: the act of distracting or the state of being distracted

especially : mental confusion

driven to distraction by their endless chatter

distractive

di-ˈstrak-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• bafflement
• bamboozlement
• befuddlement
• bemusement
• bewilderedness
• bewilderment
• confusedness
• confusion
• discombobulation
• fog
• head-scratching
• maze [chiefly dialect]
• muddle
• mystification
• perplexity
• puzzlement
• tangle
• whirl

Examples of distraction in a Sentence

It was hard to work with so many distractions.

One of them created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.

A weekend at the beach was a good distraction from her troubles.

Their endless chatter drove her to distraction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even believers in Tesla see Musk’s harping on autonomous vehicles as a distraction from the critical short-term issue of getting back to positive sales growth, according to Ives. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024

Some view the case as a distraction, compared to three other criminal cases pending against Trump, where prosecutors allege his actions present far more serious threats to democracy. —Walter Ray Watson, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024

Some of those on the Costa Rican retreat were aware of the news but mostly ignored the distractions, said Jeramy Poyer, the brother of the Miami Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer. —Ken Belson, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Today, when the prospects for negotiations appear dim and relations between the parties are nearly nonexistent, the history of the spring 2022 talks might seem like a distraction with little insight directly applicable to present circumstances. —Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024

That music gets enhanced by JBL's signature Pure Bass Sound and active noise cancelling that filters out surrounding distractions and creates an immersive listening experience. —Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 15 Apr. 2024

Sanitation workers quickly learn that the liquid can be a distraction from other dangers in the bags. —Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

If needed, provide distractions If your pet is stressed, the Toronto Humane Society recommended distracting your animal with toys or treats. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024

Ukrainians have told Svitolina that her matches serve a welcome psychic distraction. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see distract entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion dis-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: the act of distracting : the state of being distracted

especially : mental confusion

2

a

: something that makes it hard to pay attention

b

: amusement sense 1

distractive

-ˈtrak-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion dis-ˈtrak-shən 

1

a

: diversion of the attention

b

: mental confusion

2

: excessive separation (as from improper traction) of fracture fragments

distract

dis-ˈtrakt 

transitive verb