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
Even before the arrival of artificial intelligence, the instant availability of information and distraction on the internet was leading students to wonder if the labor of learning was boring and potentially pointless.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
No more division, distraction, or gender delusions.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, Hill discussed whether his personal life had become a distraction.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
There was one distraction during the number when the director made their performance look like a TikTok video, complete with a stream of annoying comments to the left of Leavitt’s tush.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
No more division, distraction, or gender delusions.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, Hill discussed whether his personal life had become a distraction.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
There was one distraction during the number when the director made their performance look like a TikTok video, complete with a stream of annoying comments to the left of Leavitt’s tush.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
-
But this caused even more confusion.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
-
But, investigators found there was too much confusion over the interpretation of the rule.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The cult of Costco Even in a world where supermarkets can stir a frenzy, Costco fans border on the obsessive.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This shortage was exacerbated during the pandemic home-buying frenzy, when historically low mortgage rates triggered a surge in demand all across the country which brought prices up.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The pavilion’s interior was reminiscent of a military entertainment bar, with a dim red light, two screens placed on opposite walls, and a couple of microphones standing in the middle.—
Joanna Warsza,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Riyadh Season, an annual entertainment and sports festival which hosts major events, typically runs from October to March.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, the pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control and the flight made an emergency diversion to Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The woman was allowed to enter a diversion program to earn a dismissal of criminal charges.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mercury’s retrograde ends on the 7th and will help clear up any misunderstandings or mental fog that have kept you stuck in the wrong dynamics for too long.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But as early as 1892, scientists have noted that tiny droplets of water in the air can be positively or negatively charged in situations such as waterfall spray or fog.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the wake of the deadly rampage, Sanford’s military record has come into focus.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The four victims killed in the rampage were off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam; Wesley LePatner, an executive at Blackstone; security officer Aland Etienne; and Julia Hyman, an employee at Rudin Management.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Viewers have taken to the comments section to voice their amusement at the unexpected sight.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The amusement area at Luna Park, opened in 2010, is a genuinely good place to spend an afternoon, and so is the old Wonder Wheel Park, where the longtime owners, the Vourderis family, have invested significantly.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Everything about this outfit is a delight — much like the actress herself.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Foodies will enjoy the signature delights of the region, like Tropea onions, spicy nduja sausage spread, and the classic frozen Tartufo, made with layers of mouthwatering gelato.—
Gary Portuesi,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share