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
Just a few seconds of distraction can bring a lifetime of hardships and heartbreak.
—
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
But which of these gadgets actually deliver results — and which ones are little more than expensive distractions?
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
This is a accident-prone day, perhaps because unexpected events will catch some people off guard, creating distractions that are hard to deal with.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Technology looms over the record, a constant source of its titular distraction, and a kind of existential threat to connection.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
But which of these gadgets actually deliver results — and which ones are little more than expensive distractions?
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
This is a accident-prone day, perhaps because unexpected events will catch some people off guard, creating distractions that are hard to deal with.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Technology looms over the record, a constant source of its titular distraction, and a kind of existential threat to connection.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
Outside, the street was now clogged with driverless cars, their high beams on, in confusion, in paralysis, lacking any traffic lights to tell them what to do.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The confusion allowed the CIA to uncover the location of the service member, who was hiding in a mountain crevice, the official said.—
Seung Min Kim,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The housing market has cooled considerably since earlier this decade, when rock-bottom mortgage rates set off a frenzy that sent home prices soaring.—
Alex Veiga,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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One of the unspoken truths about the Tortuga Music Festival is that while its country-music firepower is undeniable, some of its best moments have come in the frenzy of fans who pack stages for party-rap performers such as Flo Rida, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mitchell Fink, the author and entertainment journalist who wrote gossip columns for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, People magazine and the New York Daily News, died Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Florida, his family announced.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
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The entertainment marketing platform Research Warrant has since shifted marketing in a new direction, one that prioritizes keeping IP in motion across the social ecosystem.—
Ernest Sturm,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Home and family are your main focus; nevertheless, romance and playful diversions also appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But diversion programs can cost innocent people time and money, through no fault of their own.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Larger, even more capable actors, particularly Russia and China, may also take advantage of the fog of war to launch strikes themselves.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Glimmers of light broke the fog.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His shot missed, deflecting glass onto Long Khac Nguyen’s face and setting him off on an immediate rampage, shooting several hostages, three fatally.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Auriemma, at age 41 and in his 10th season at UConn, led a team headlined by All-Americans Rebecca Lobo, Jennifer Rizzotti and Kara Wolters on a 35-0 rampage to secure the first undefeated season and national championship in UConn history.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The thread, originally posted by user SxnKisss, reflects a broader mix of amusement and skepticism.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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But then Bennett later pulled the same trick at the Beverly Hilton hotel, to McCartney’s amusement.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To some umps’ great dismay—and fans’ utter delight—calls are indeed getting overturned, with all the suspense of a Roman emperor deciding on a gladiator’s fate.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
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The plush spa wrap is the ultimate après-shower delight made with ultra-soft fabric.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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