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
In fact, creating a distraction from mounting political problems at home may be a welcome byproduct of the escalating nuclear rhetoric.
—
Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
Others suggested Trump and his White House were planting an intentional distraction.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 2 Aug. 2025
The reasons behind the ban include decreasing distractions for students during instructional time, as well as cutting back on cyberbullying and fighting between students while in school.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Aug. 2025
Ultimately, though, the committee is likely to stand pat, putting the distractions on the side and the decision over a cut off to September.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
Others suggested Trump and his White House were planting an intentional distraction.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 2 Aug. 2025
The reasons behind the ban include decreasing distractions for students during instructional time, as well as cutting back on cyberbullying and fighting between students while in school.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Aug. 2025
Ultimately, though, the committee is likely to stand pat, putting the distractions on the side and the decision over a cut off to September.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
Role Clarity If current employees aren’t sure who owns what, new hires will step straight into the confusion.—
Leyda Lazo,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
There is no confusion when a woman makes a decision regarding her relationship.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But, in the frenzy to get ready, don’t forget about the hospital bag essentials that’ll make your delivery experience (hopefully) a little easier.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Centered between the Kelce brothers was a silhouette resembling Swift, sending fans into a frenzy.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The part of the celebrations that most interests my home entertainment channel, though, is the launch on October 7 of the film’s new 4K Blu-ray edition.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Like his career in the entertainment industry, The White Lotus creator had an impressive run on the show’s 37th season that aired in 2018.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And Manchester, a roughly 4,400-person town hugged by southern Vermont’s Taconic and Green mountains, has a bounty of seasonal diversions.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The stories state that Israel hasn’t provided evidence of diversion by Hamas of food or of Hamas being imbedded in the civilian population, implying that Israel is lying.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The clarity provided by such a statement can break through the fog of mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians and allow both to imagine a future worth striving for.—
Ami Ayalon,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That was a distraction from the perpetual confusion in that first year of Covid, which in itself was a distraction from much of Trump’s rampage through Washington.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The stabbing rampage that took place Saturday, July 26, left 11 people injured before onlookers, one of them apparently armed with a handgun, subdued the suspect in the parking lot outside the store just before police arrived, police said.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, there are vast numbers of people who would like to put together songs from clips and samples, either for their own amusement or for commercial reasons.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
That element of surprise is inherently missing in the sequel, to its detriment, but screenwriters Derek Kolstad and Aaron Rabin’s simple but ingenious premise provides plenty of amusement.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And then there’s Preserve, a delight for the taste buds where food preservation is central to the dining experience.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The family lived modestly on a street in central Edinburgh that was full of delights for a curious child.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share