1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distract
In many offices around the world, the growing administrative burden of extensive emails and meetings can distract even highly motivated people from getting things done.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The Democrats view this story as nothing more than an attempt to distract from the accomplishments and achievements of this administration.
—Julie K Brown, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Just as physical therapists, nutritionists, and trainers are there to ensure that players can focus on their game, your top performers should be supported by specialized professionals who tackle the work that might otherwise distract them from their job.
—Scott Braunstein, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The Democrats view this story as nothing more than an attempt to distract from the accomplishments and achievements of this administration.
—Julie K Brown, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Just as physical therapists, nutritionists, and trainers are there to ensure that players can focus on their game, your top performers should be supported by specialized professionals who tackle the work that might otherwise distract them from their job.
—Scott Braunstein, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
Verb
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North was convicted in 1989 on three felony charges for helping to arrange the illicit sale of weapons to Iran and divert the proceeds to fund a secret war against anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The hotel diverts little to no waste to landfills, thanks to an ORCA food-waste digester installed in 2018, and has phased in in-house water bottling and refillable bathroom dispensers to eliminate single-use plastics.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The women were too busy cooking, crafting, and caring for the family to bother with the stone tools used by men in hunting and building.—
Sarah Durn,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
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Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The airline's fall from grace should worry anyone with loyalty to the brand.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It is concerned solely with the here-and-now, preserving the peace for just one more day, and waiting for the CCP to collapse like the imperial dynasties that ruled China before.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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The final campaign finance report for the 2024 general election and the annual report concerning remaining campaign funds were filed on April 30 of this year, according to records in the Saline County clerk's office.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The growing interest in geoengineering has alarmed some scientists, including Martin Siegert, a glaciologist at the University of Exeter in England and lead author of the new study.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … SHEEN COMES CLEAN – Charlie Sheen reveals how his massive drug habit alarmed the drug cartel supplying him.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If United play directly into Mbeumo on the right flank and use him as the outlet on the counter, the former Brentford forward could unsettle City.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Skilled content creators know that their content has to do more than agitate problems and provide solutions.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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