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
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Adding to the sense of confusion, police said that the twins frequently share clothes and use the same phone numbers and ID documents.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pausing PreCheck risked significant delays and frustration at airports like LAX, where passengers encountered closed lanes, long lines and confusion on Sunday morning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In these and recent Olympics, athletes have gone viral for amassing pins in the village with varying frenzy.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
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Given Supermicro’s high-profile role in the AI build-out frenzy, the CFO also needs to have strategic relationships with analysts, investment banks, and market participants.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
20 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
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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
-
Now that Greenland was a predictably embarrassing bust, what’s the next diversion from those files?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
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According to Jefferson County Circuit Court records, Soto-Pantoja is part of a pretrial diversion program that allows for a criminal case to be expunged after five years of law-abiding behavior, including paying fees and passing drug tests, Mascagni said.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 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
-
Scientists have long suspected that active supermassive black holes can kill their own host galaxies, but new research suggests these cosmic titans are more like serial killers that can extend their murderous rampage across many light-years and destroy neighboring galaxies, too.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Randy Santos, 31, was arrested with a bloody metal bar in his hands shortly after the October 2019 rampage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sure enough, the boys began to connect and disconnect people's calls simply for their own amusement.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
The crowd, filled with mostly Illini fans, roared with delight.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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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 23 Feb. 2026.
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