1
as in diverting
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in confounding
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracting
William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
The helmets are too distracting from the jersey.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In an October 1 TikTok video, Tim showed the innovation solution that kept Tubby in the class without distracting others.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Everything at work suddenly seems to be unraveling, especially with annoying Douglas blowing bubbles everywhere and distracting Doris when Ron’s trying to get footage to document her hip problem and the risk of an unsafe chair.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Sets are decorated with vintage posters and props, enough to give texture without distracting.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Clutter acts like visual noise, distracting your brain and leaving you feeling scattered.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
Choose a clean, non-distracting background that doesn’t compete with your mug for attention.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In Season 4, Eddie played a key role in distracting Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) Demobats as the rest of the gang launched an attack on the Upside Down stronghold of Creel House.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
The helmets are too distracting from the jersey.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In an October 1 TikTok video, Tim showed the innovation solution that kept Tubby in the class without distracting others.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Everything at work suddenly seems to be unraveling, especially with annoying Douglas blowing bubbles everywhere and distracting Doris when Ron’s trying to get footage to document her hip problem and the risk of an unsafe chair.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Sets are decorated with vintage posters and props, enough to give texture without distracting.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Clutter acts like visual noise, distracting your brain and leaving you feeling scattered.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
Verb
-
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In total, Alex was found to have embezzled more than $6 million from at least two dozen clients, inflating fees or expenses and diverting settlement money into his own accounts, per PBS.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Talk through what’s bothering you to gain a compassionate perspective.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What is the most confounding and terrible, however, is Gretchen’s assertion that Slade, the anti-Viagra, doesn’t get involved with the women on his own accord, but only engages because the women always talk about him.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The offense’s struggles are the most confounding.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some asserted that the commitment and costs of traveling and attending meetings paired with the limited compensation was detracting members of the public from running for office.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Conventional cleanup techniques often worsen the problem by disturbing soil structures and consuming large amounts of energy.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There is trash and pollutants from the tourists and gravel has been mined from the area to make trekking routes for people, disturbing the places where females may have laid their eggs, researchers said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In a whirlwind year for the organization, his slump was one of the more perplexing developments.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Yet the latest season has had a perplexing schedule.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Browning has thrown eight interceptions in four starts, which was alarming enough for the Bengals to make a move.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
But also alarming is that government officials don’t seem to take seriously the need to justify the reasons for their use of force, which should only be wielded to protect the rights of Americans.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The second flare is even more puzzling.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Staffers spent the weekend trading calls and texts, trying to piece together who had been axed, who had been spared, and, most puzzling, why.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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