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
as in confounding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 distract
Seraphina Seow, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Buy Now Jennette McCurdy Is 'Grateful Every Day' 1 Year After Sharing Childhood Stories About Abusive Stage Mother
07 of 07
'Matilda' by Roald Dahl
In this classic that birthed the 1996 Mara Wilson movie, Mrs. Wormwood is a bad mom in part because she’s distracted by watching television.
—Sarah Harman, People.com, 11 May 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
But the choice to use CGI is jarring, distracting from the dwarfs' otherwise delightful introduction in the film.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Verb
These kinds of assumptions are distracting and can hinder the possibility for a friendship to form.
—Seraphina Seow, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Buy Now Jennette McCurdy Is 'Grateful Every Day' 1 Year After Sharing Childhood Stories About Abusive Stage Mother
07 of 07
'Matilda' by Roald Dahl
In this classic that birthed the 1996 Mara Wilson movie, Mrs. Wormwood is a bad mom in part because she’s distracted by watching television.
—Sarah Harman, People.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
By appearing at ringside and distracting Lee, Van Dam created an opening for Evans to secure the victory.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
But the choice to use CGI is jarring, distracting from the dwarfs' otherwise delightful introduction in the film.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
Adjective
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Even more perplexing: If shutting off service to new customers without an account is their strict policy, why wait until Friday to execute it?—
Ryan Minton,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Part of the reason structures like the Hercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall are so perplexing to scientists has to do with the cosmological principle, which most models of the cosmos are founded upon.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the early 2000s, marine biologists first noticed a puzzling pattern.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After 2024’s data, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott were critical of the census estimates, saying data collection could be inaccurate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Post-Tribune archives.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
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As Justin forges his own way forward, these unnecessary stories and inaccurate assumptions will continue.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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But by the end, Sirens shifts gears again and descends into bewildering melodrama with a nonsensical final twist that feels tacked on for the sake of having a big final twist.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
22 May 2025
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His message after another bewildering loss was that what’s done is done.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The court had to issue a letter stating the interpretation was incorrect.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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If a project fails because the decision to go ahead with the project turns out to be incorrect (which should happen frequently), that failure should not bear on the manager responsible for the project.—
Tim Koller,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, Nicolás Maduro won his reelection in a race contested as fraudulent by the opposition.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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Real examples: Six people were charged with attempting to steal $80 million through fraudulent checks tied to COVID-19 relief funds.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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In scenes that take up so much more screentime than is strictly necessary, Ethan gets back on the trail of Gabriel (Esai Morales), the Entity’s duplicitous sidekick, who aims to bring it under his control once its plan gets underway.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
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Last month, Mulaney told the story of trying to book Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, only to be nearly duped by a duplicitous fake manager.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Arthritis in your fingers often starts with subtle changes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
25 May 2025
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The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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