distract 1 of 3

verb (1)

di-ˈstrakt How to pronounce distract (audio)
Definition of distractnext
1
as in to divert
to draw the attention or mind to something else we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distracting

2 of 3

adjective

as in confounding

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

distracting

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distract differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distract are bewilder, confound, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might bewilder be a better fit than distract?

While in some cases nearly identical to distract, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of distract?

Although the words confound and distract have much in common, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is dumbfound a more appropriate choice than distract?

The synonyms dumbfound and distract are sometimes interchangeable, but dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When could nonplus be used to replace distract?

In some situations, the words nonplus and distract are roughly equivalent. However, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When is it sensible to use perplex instead of distract?

While the synonyms perplex and distract are close in meaning, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to distract?

The meanings of puzzle and distract largely overlap; however, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 distract
Verb
Rather than immediately distracting yourself, approach the emotion with curiosity. — Juli Fraga, Time, 29 Oct. 2026 If a tablet is too distracting, there are other ways to make digital art. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
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
In her first sketch, Navarrette and Hernandez played the ghost of a couple of 1930s kids on the Queen Mary who keep distracting a tourist from hearing where another ghost’s treasure is hidden. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026 Rather than immediately distracting yourself, approach the emotion with curiosity. — Juli Fraga, Time, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
  1. divert
  2. disturb
  3. bother
  4. worry
  5. concern
  6. alarm
  7. unsettle
  8. agitate
Verb
  • The shenanigans ultimately prove slight but undeniably diverting.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The $10 million, part of a settlement offered by a company that overcharged Medicaid, was diverted into other hands, starting with the Hope Florida Foundation, the favorite charity of First Lady Casey DeSantis.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of divert
Verb
  • For example, in the 20th century there was a flawed world leader who held rigid ideologies, racial biases, and disturbing personal behaviors.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
  • According to Filter, at some point the grave markers were disturbed.
    — Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • In fact, the movie doesn’t even bother revealing Fang’s ultimate fate; but then again, he’s been fully vindicated in the court of public opinion, so who cares?
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Nothing shows the world that the outside noise doesn’t bother you quite like preparing a statement ahead of time about how much the outside noise doesn’t bother you.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • That forced Edmonds and former Horned Frog David Punch (now at Texas) to play lengthy minutes and have to worry about foul trouble.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Still, Nowinski is worried the Guardian Cap is giving parents and athletes a false sense of security that the game has been made considerably safer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Musk and SpaceX have been instructed to preserve records concerning restrictions imposed on a military version of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, CNN first reported, citing an aide to a Democratic senator.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • A number of women who were not known to each other came forward to officers with reports concerning Brand after that investigation was published, the Met Police said.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Coolly, Violet responds that to avoid alarming the public, a few agitators have beenneutralized—now there’s a sticky euphemism—and their deaths passed off as revenge killings among drug traffickers.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • Within that rigidity lay a fear of becoming overwhelmed by patients’ suffering and then unsettled just before operating.
    — Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Florida must unsettle Stockton, who had three turnovers during the Auburn loss.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • Where some of her peers were agitating for new ideological thinking inside the Party, Stevens was something closer to an earnest moderate.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
  • But hell hath no fury like a Latino voter scorned and all this intimidation, in addition to a lack of follow-through on promises by Republican lawmakers since 2024, might have a boomerang effect by agitating Latinos into action.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitate

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Cite this Entry

“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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