distraction

1 a state of mental uncertainty in my distraction I forgot where I was Synonyms bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, confusion, fog, head-scratching, maze [chiefly dialect], muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirlRelated Words abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification; agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset; bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fluster, fuss, stew, turmoilNear Antonyms assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness

2 a state of wildly excited activity or emotion driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house Synonyms agitation, deliriousness, delirium, frenzy, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproarRelated Words chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil; bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tempest, tumultNear Antonyms calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

3 the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public a minister who certainly doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means Synonyms amusement, diversion, recreationRelated Words nightlife, show business; delectation, delight, enjoyment, joy, mirth; gratification, relaxation, relief, satisfaction; exhibition, performance, presentation, presentment, production, show, spectacle; escapism

4 someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment a harmless distraction for children at the playground Synonyms delight, fun, diversion, divertissement, entertainment, pleasure, recreationRelated Words escape, pastime, time killer; binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree; frolicking, rollicking; carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety (also gayety), hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling (or revelling), revelry, whoopee; picnic; laugh, riot, scream; activity, gameNear Antonyms killjoy, party pooperAntonyms bore, bummer, downer, drag