Synonyms of distract

distract

verb

di-ˈstrakt 

1

as in to divert

to draw the attention or mind to something else

we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• divert
• detract
• abstract
• throw off
• amuse
• entertain
• call off
• stray
• wander
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate

2

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

distracted by the looming tax deadline

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disturb
• bother
• worry
• concern
• alarm
• unsettle
• agitate
• annoy
• anger
• derail
• haunt
• distress
• irritate
• confuse
• perturb
• upset
• plague
• unhinge
• embarrass
• discomfort
• undo
• exercise
• discompose
• ail
• dismay
• rattle
• aggravate
• disquiet
• flurry
• harass
• exasperate
• discourage
• pester
• fuss
• bug
• rile
• freak (out)
• frazzle
• irk
• weird out
• distemper
• vex
• bedevil
• alarum
• chivvy
• hagride
• fluster
• disconcert
• pique
• confound
• get
• put off
• fret
• put out
• unnerve
• mortify
• discomfit
• dishearten
• chafe
• demoralize
• faze
• dispirit
• harry
• grate
• gall
• daunt
• chivy
• shake up
• peeve
• discountenance
• nettle
• abash
• jar
• nonplus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• soothe
• calm
• compose
• quiet
• alleviate
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• placate
• appease
• tranquillize
• pacify
• mollify
• conciliate
• propitiate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distract differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distract are bewilder, confound, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might bewilder be a better fit than distract?

While in some cases nearly identical to distract, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of distract?

Although the words confound and distract have much in common, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is dumbfound a more appropriate choice than distract?

The synonyms dumbfound and distract are sometimes interchangeable, but dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When could nonplus be used to replace distract?

In some situations, the words nonplus and distract are roughly equivalent. However, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When is it sensible to use perplex instead of distract?

While the synonyms perplex and distract are close in meaning, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to distract?

The meanings of puzzle and distract largely overlap; however, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distract

To stop drivers from getting distracted, the feature will work only when the car is parked. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 June 2025

Grayson uses a walking toy to move down the hall, but gets distracted by the TV. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025

Hogg’s decision to wade into primary battles incensed Democrats, who accused him of distracting from the fight against Trump. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025

Sending in the National Guard was an obvious military flex, designed to to bait Angelenos while perhaps distracting Americans from Trump’s far greater troubles. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025