distracts; distracted; distracting
1
: 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
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.
2
: to take (attention) away from someone or something
The local story distracted attention from news of the war overseas.
Cite this Entry
“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/distract. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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