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
Emerging tech that doesn’t reduce a pain point or smooth a choke point is a distraction from company culture, ethos and your bottom line.
—
Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
That was seen by party lawmakers as an unwelcome distraction in an election year for National, which has governed New Zealand in a right-wing coalition government since the 2023 vote.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Both Richard and Gonzalez said the best way to avoid hurting a worker, yourself, or another driver is pretty simple-- slow down, increase your following distance, and put down the distractions.
—Elle Meyers, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
The Beijing robot half-marathon was a distraction.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
That was seen by party lawmakers as an unwelcome distraction in an election year for National, which has governed New Zealand in a right-wing coalition government since the 2023 vote.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Both Richard and Gonzalez said the best way to avoid hurting a worker, yourself, or another driver is pretty simple-- slow down, increase your following distance, and put down the distractions.
—Elle Meyers, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
The Beijing robot half-marathon was a distraction.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
Keep your tone calm, but don’t leave room for confusion.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Some confusion led to a 50/50 jump ball, which Miami won and worked in a cross, and Germán Berterame headed it in at the back post.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There seemed to be an unwarranted frenzy in the speed at which everything was played, as if music were as much a sport as an artistic pursuit.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Irishman recorded a hole-in-one on the sixth hole at Augusta National on Saturday, putting patrons into a frenzy.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shopping, dining, and entertainment are on tap at the village-like Shops at Kukuiʻula, where residents will find boutiques with upscale global brands as well as island designers, fine dining restaurants and casual eateries, weekly farmers markets, and occasional live music.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Thousands of actors, directors, writers and other entertainment workers have signed an open letter opposing the deal, arguing that further consolidation of the media industry will hurt creators and consumers.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Director Scott Ellis understands all this, and thus the admirably specific physical business and slurred verbosity in his gently outré revival really makes for quite the amusing diversion.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Director Scott Ellis understands all this and thus the admirably specific physical business and slurred verbosity in his gently outré revival really makes for quite the amusing diversion.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The conditions may also make coastal California feel more humid and muggy because of the loss of cooling fog and because warmer air holds more moisture, according to Swain.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Together, the synergy of Mercury and Neptune in Aries can feel like the restlessness of trying to make a decision while in a fog.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say the gunman, disguised as a police officer, began his rampage by shooting Hoffman and his wife, then stopped at the residences of two other lawmakers who weren't home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But the Gunslinger’s murderous rampage is a symptom of a larger problem.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As their story spread, millions of viewers reacted with a mix of shock and amusement at the dramatic itinerary switch.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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There are, however, a couple of locals watching in amusement.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Reupping your Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter is more of a delight than a slog, and the refills are pretty enough to sit on the shelf at Sephora or be featured in an influencer’s product flatlay.—
Kara McGrath,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
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Endlessly Quotable • Peak Patinkin There are few films with a higher delight-to-runtime ratio than The Princess Bride.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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