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
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Recent Examples of distraction
The proposal now moves to the Georgia Senate, where lawmakers will debate whether the statewide standard strikes the right balance between reducing classroom distractions and maintaining student access to personal technology.
—
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Although the game can be a temporary distraction, the pain doesn’t go away.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
For many, the iPod represents distraction-free listening — no ads, no Wi-Fi, no notifications, no algorithms.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
In that environment, a five-year brand roadmap feels like a distraction to a leader who just needs someone to roll up their sleeves, execute tactics and move product.
—Andrew Thomas, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Although the game can be a temporary distraction, the pain doesn’t go away.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
For many, the iPod represents distraction-free listening — no ads, no Wi-Fi, no notifications, no algorithms.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
In that environment, a five-year brand roadmap feels like a distraction to a leader who just needs someone to roll up their sleeves, execute tactics and move product.
—Andrew Thomas, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
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While most associations have not encountered this situation to date, being informed and prepared will help prevent confusion, protect resident privacy, and reduce legal risk.—
Peter S. Sachs,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
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Some users have voiced anger at how the situation was handled, claiming that either Kalshi’s rules should have been communicated more clearly, or that its markets should have been more narrowly worded to avoid confusion.—
Terrence O'Brien,
The Verge,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The move is characteristic frenzy building from Fred, whose show Friday night will be the final performance of his USB002 tour that began last fall.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2026
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But the latest one, The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, already has fans in a frenzy.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The deal comes alongside a fresh $100 million credit facility, from a separate, soon to be revealed entity, that will underpin both BondIt’s existing lending business and its push into new areas including live entertainment, sports, and the creator economy.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than focusing on the shiny diversions of loud spectacles, Americans might take a few moments this year to explore the parallels between our current condition and the detailed indictment of particulars that Thomas Jefferson laid out against the king of England in 1776.—
Edwin C. Yohnka,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
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To demonstrate the district attorney’s alleged bias, the motion highlighted the examination of witness John Richardson, a Loyola Marymount University student from the Bay Area who was among the 13 arrested in 2024 but later entered a youth diversion program after pleading no contest.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Others have sought to use cloud seeding to disperse fog at airports, tackle air pollution, reduce hail damage or even to manipulate the weather for major events, such as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
If, in the following days, increasing moisture and a sticky feel to the atmosphere are accompanied by fog or overcast skies, this can signal the approach of a cold front with a cooler air mass behind it.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
All-American sophomore Sarah Strong came into the second quarter on a rampage, putting up 10 unanswered points by herself in less than three minutes after ending the first with just two.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
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The attack was Canada’s deadliest rampage since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and set fires that left another nine dead.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The theatre of it all—the silly drama, the amusement—has survived the cross-country move gloriously intact.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The first Sentinel Sports and Travel show was held in the Milwaukee Auditorium for eight days in April of 1940, and offered every kind of amusement for the vacation seeker, fisherman, marksman, or dog lover.—
Elaine Rewolinski,
jsonline.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a season with Cirie, Colby, and Ozzy, there is no comparison to the delight and joy these 50 cast members possess when talking about Coach.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
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Another unexpected delight came earlier in the trip, in Singapore, where the Conrad Singapore Orchard arranged a visit to The Intan through its 1/3/5 program.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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