distracting 1 of 2

adjective

as in confounding

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distracting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of distract
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy distracted by the looming tax deadline

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distracting
Adjective
How to say no to all the distractions and everything that’s pulling at you in the most distracting era maybe in human history. — David Katz, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Choose a clean, non-distracting background that doesn’t compete with your mug for attention. — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
As a result, your mind is always searching for the next project to tackle or problem to solve, distracting you while hanging out with family or keeping you from sleeping. — Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 The compelling series achieves a provocative dissection of it all with rare confidence without the overindulgence of distracting CGI tossed in for sheer spectacle. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Today’s computers are approachable, but also distracting, argues Caligra co-founder and CEO Grant Bisset. — Daniel Varghese, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Maybe his conning can be curtailed someday, but the thought there’d ever be enough distracting chaos for a similarly lengthy follow-up is almost too much to bear. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Even at full speed, the cooling fans remained noticeable without becoming distracting, and the enclosure stayed comfortably cool throughout the charging cycle. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 According to Macallair, who has been working on juvenile justice reform for more than 40 years, any facility with more than 10 kids becomes unwieldy, distracting from rehabilitation and becoming more correctional. — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026 Something about home or family could be distracting you in a way that’s clouding your read on your professional situation today. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Schedule time away from distracting apps If certain times of day are your weak spot, Downtime can help. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
  1. confounding
  2. diverting
  3. bothering
  4. perplexing
  5. detracting
  6. disturbing
  7. puzzling
  8. alarming
Adjective
  • Its study of dark matter and dark energy could also give scientists new insights into two of the most confounding puzzles in astronomy.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of confounding
Verb
  • At the time, RTCM said the deal would expand its capacity and support a goal of diverting 100 million pounds of textiles from landfills annually.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The transfers have allowed the Senate GOP group to support Paxton without diverting resources away from Republicans in other competitive races across the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothering
Adjective
  • More perplexing is the industry’s retreat despite evidence that diversity is in its economic interest.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Not Kendall, nor Candle, but a third, even more perplexing name for a dog.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • An expansion into New Mexico would add oil revenue from the Permian Basin to Texas, adding to its economy and detracting, in turn, from New Mexico's.
    — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of detracting
Verb
  • How the storm drain will be repaired Rather than digging up the entire pipe and disturbing residents’ yards, crews plan to install a new lining inside the existing pipe.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • On vehicles with a dedicated secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse, view lyrics, and watch video content without disturbing the driver.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • Patrick Mahomes threw a puzzling interception in the back of the end zone to end a second-quarter drive.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In one of the more puzzling developments of this broadcast cycle, ESPN and Aikman have yet to reach a contract extension even after the network finalized a new deal with Buck.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Verb
  • But the idea that fine adaptations of great books need to be stopping points, rather than springboards, is alarming by itself.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarming

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Cite this Entry

“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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