1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
in my distraction I forgot where I was
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in entertainment
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public
the founder of a recovery program who doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in diversion
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
a harmless distraction for children at the playground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 distraction
You guys are experts at red herrings and distractions.
—
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Avoiding distractions and staying on task are just easier with a timer.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
What started as a distraction from Manny’s absence soon blossomed into a deep bond as Michelle and Leo spent hours talking, listening to music, and getting to know each other.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
There's adaptive noise cancellation too, which can auto adjust to varying ambient sound levels for minimal distractions.
—New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Avoiding distractions and staying on task are just easier with a timer.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
What started as a distraction from Manny’s absence soon blossomed into a deep bond as Michelle and Leo spent hours talking, listening to music, and getting to know each other.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
There's adaptive noise cancellation too, which can auto adjust to varying ambient sound levels for minimal distractions.
—New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
The very concept of combining social media with AI assistants caused confusion earlier this year.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
That confusion is further reflected by the manic hyper-subjectivity of Bronstein’s filmmaking, which boxes Linda into a close-up so tight that everything around her — especially her unnamed daughter, who almost never appears on screen — might as well be a disembodied echo of her own anxiety.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the frenzy, per Science Daily, bones were put on view at the farm, and other artifacts later wre brought on tours with the Ringling Brothers show.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The Spotted Cow cult following — which paved the way for the brewery’s equally passionate Moon Man IPA frenzy — provides New Glarus with visits from locals and beer fans alike.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Originally from Austin, TX, Ben feels right at home in the vibrant arts and entertainment scene of Northwest Arkansas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The center, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, typically hosts live entertainment during the event and showcases the work of its senior citizen artists.—
Micah Walker,
Freep.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In some counties, CARE Court may offer more services than mental health diversion court, including housing support.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
According to the statement posted on social media, eastbound lanes of I-24 at mile marker 42 are closed due to the crash, with a diversion set up at Exit 40.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Defense Secretary, meanwhile, vanishes into a personal fog, thinking only of his daughter (Kaitlyn Dever), who lives in Chicago.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Particularly in the case of the latter two galaxies, the radio jets seem to be interacting with the intra-cluster medium, which is a thick fog of hot plasma that fills galaxy clusters, and this interaction is shaping both the jets and the radio rings.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Speck was a mass murderer who went on a rampage and killed eight nursing students in 1966.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the May 2022 rampage at Robb Elementary School.—
Josh Margolin,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The new security measures announced in May also included a requirement for minors to be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older in the ride area, but organizers announced in August that the 2025 festival would not have amusement rides.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The most responsible way to communicate the delight is to share a few details but leapfrog over their place in the plot and head straight to the mighty conceit that connects them.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The roughly 200-mile stretch through northern Wisconsin is a particular delight, venturing from massive waterfalls (Copper Falls State Park and Pattison State Park) to countless lakes and the pine tunnels of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share