1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
in my distraction I forgot where I was
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of distraction
Curling, which started in Scotland but grew in popularity after being imported to Canada, where the game proved to be a perfect distraction during long, frigid winters on the plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan, has historically operated on a culture of trust and self-regulation.
—
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The cloud that had been hovering over the group and the distraction of Kuminga’s uncertain future are finally gone.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Smartphones are just these distraction devices.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
Hindu seekers retreat to ashrams, Muslims seclude themselves in mosques away from worldly distractions during Ramadan to practice I'tikaf, and Jews break from work and technology every week on shabbat.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The cloud that had been hovering over the group and the distraction of Kuminga’s uncertain future are finally gone.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Smartphones are just these distraction devices.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
Hindu seekers retreat to ashrams, Muslims seclude themselves in mosques away from worldly distractions during Ramadan to practice I'tikaf, and Jews break from work and technology every week on shabbat.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
Thirty-one years after founding the Vans Warped Tour, the pop-punk patriarch is looking at the modern music industry with a mixture of confusion and frustration.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The result is not merely confusion about who is responsible but a gradual weakening of the expectations that make responsibility meaningful at all.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among the frenzy of videos promoting healthier diets, marathon running, and sobriety, one trend catching on with young people—ironically on social media—is the idea of a digital detox, taking time away from our phone’s most addictive apps to improve everything from sleep to focus.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Then a frenzy as all the players rifled through their music.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Facing a backlash over his appearance in the Epstein files, prominent entertainment and sports agent Casey Wasserman put his talent agency up for sale Friday.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The festival includes six stages with cultural entertainment throughout the park along with live performances by chart-topping artists such as Fitz and the Tantrums, The Band Perry and Walker Hayes.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On Earth, the storms can lead to power blackouts, cause air travel diversions, and interfere with radio transmissions.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Chaotic video shows the moment a midair brawl erupted between passengers on a Jet2 flight bound for the United Kingdom on Thursday, reportedly forcing the plane to make a diversion.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
-
There will also be a bit of patchy fog.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nicole Connors, 52; Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, 29; Mary Marshall, 34; and Susan Karnatz, 49, also were killed in the rampage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Austin Thompson, the North Carolina teenager convicted of killing his brother and four neighbors in a 2022 rampage, was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to a huge trampoline area with dodgeball, a ninja course, knockout basketball, a launch pad and a battle pit, the amusement center has other attractions like bowling, virtual reality, an arcade and a rock climbing wall.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
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Lake Como’s roots date back to 1889, when Denver investors dammed a creek about 5 miles west of downtown and built a luxury resort, casino and amusement rides modeled after Como, Italy.—
Kamal Morgan
February 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The crowd, filled with mostly Illini fans, roared with delight.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Creating mazes and tunnels is an easy way to make your rat happy — and a delight to watch.—
Lisa Bloch,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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