as in confounding
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracting
William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.
—Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2026
There are so many women that are underestimated, so many women that present themselves in ways that people can find distracting or make assumptions about because of it.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
During the costly possession when the Rebels let the shot clock expire with 41 seconds left, Thienou surprised her coach by passing up a shot while the crowd was roaring and clearly distracting the visitors.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Over the years, messy planning has led to controversial, costly golden parachutes, shareholder lawsuits, a stockholder revolt and a bitter, distracting proxy fight.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
There is a difference, lawmakers said, between keeping the Zoom call on a phone on a passenger seat versus directly watching the Zoom meeting in a way that is distracting.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
State officials argued that street art designs are distracting and can pose a safety risk.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
The initiative, introduced in 2022, is designed to help youth footballers enjoy their matches without distracting shouts from the sidelines, whether by coaches or parents.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Choose a clean, non-distracting background that doesn’t compete with your mug for attention.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.
—Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2026
There are so many women that are underestimated, so many women that present themselves in ways that people can find distracting or make assumptions about because of it.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
During the costly possession when the Rebels let the shot clock expire with 41 seconds left, Thienou surprised her coach by passing up a shot while the crowd was roaring and clearly distracting the visitors.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Over the years, messy planning has led to controversial, costly golden parachutes, shareholder lawsuits, a stockholder revolt and a bitter, distracting proxy fight.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
There is a difference, lawmakers said, between keeping the Zoom call on a phone on a passenger seat versus directly watching the Zoom meeting in a way that is distracting.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
State officials argued that street art designs are distracting and can pose a safety risk.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
The initiative, introduced in 2022, is designed to help youth footballers enjoy their matches without distracting shouts from the sidelines, whether by coaches or parents.
—Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
Adjective
-
In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Eagles were a confounding defending champion throughout the regular season.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nordseth also argued the city is illegally diverting money collected through a 2% increase in hotel occupancy taxes, approved by voters in 2022.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The judging is vexing and perplexing.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Radziwill’s absence has been somewhat perplexing.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
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Instead of barging past, the Great Dane carefully adjusts his body, pressing himself to the side of the stairs in an effort to avoid disturbing the cat.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Police said there were reports of reckless driving throughout the parking lot, a fire, underage drinking, and disturbing others at the shopping district.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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More puzzling, critics said, has been the union’s response to other farmworker advocates.—
Marcos Breton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
On the flip side, Orlando has been a puzzling disappointment, a team — just like the Heat — that has followed a seven-game winning streak with an ongoing five-game losing streak.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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