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
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Picture frame backsplashes are outdated and visually distracting, tied to early 2000s.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
State transportation officials argued that street art is distracting and can pose a risk to drivers.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
With a smooth leather fabric lining, a vachetta leather strap, and the brand’s signature denim logo print, its pattern makes a statement without distracting from your outfit.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Sennecke has only taken his first step and doesn’t display Perry’s devilish side or his accidentally-on-purpose way of distracting goalies.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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
Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Picture frame backsplashes are outdated and visually distracting, tied to early 2000s.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
State transportation officials argued that street art is distracting and can pose a risk to drivers.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
With a smooth leather fabric lining, a vachetta leather strap, and the brand’s signature denim logo print, its pattern makes a statement without distracting from your outfit.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Sennecke has only taken his first step and doesn’t display Perry’s devilish side or his accidentally-on-purpose way of distracting goalies.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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
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The minister, Niola Lynn Sarah Devalien Octavius, is accused of diverting funds earmarked for national celebrations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Revenue from video games declined 10% in the October-to-December quarter compared with the same period in 2024, diverting from total revenue’s 16% increase.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The oven was equally perplexing.—
Jason Fried,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
-
It’s been part of a perplexing trend this season for Peterson, who has missed 10 full games and notable portions of 10 others with nagging injuries.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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
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Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The killings shocked the community, as did Caneiro's trial, which laid out disturbing details of betrayal and violence within the family.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And possibly the most puzzling.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
One of the most puzzling aspects of Guthrie's disappearance is the motive.—
Stephanie Innes,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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