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
That afternoon, Mira was in the market for a tinted sunscreen, but distractions abounded.
—
Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
That isn’t a distraction from their training.
—Alex Korb, Ph.d., CNBC, 4 May 2026
Rose Island Lighthouse offers a secluded stay with ocean views, wildlife, and no Wi-Fi distractions.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
It’s called avoiding distractions at all costs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
That isn’t a distraction from their training.
—Alex Korb, Ph.d., CNBC, 4 May 2026
Rose Island Lighthouse offers a secluded stay with ocean views, wildlife, and no Wi-Fi distractions.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
It’s called avoiding distractions at all costs.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
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Little ones who came out of the casket viewing with their parents wore expressions of confusion and shock after witnessing eight bodies that didn’t look so different from their own.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Online reactions to the incident ranged from confusion to humor.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
While valuations for household-name series IP have come down to earth a bit since the frenzy around Friends, South Park and The Office during the streaming explosion several years ago, The Walking Dead rights will surely fetch several hundred million dollars.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
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But there's a nostalgic and unexpected appeal to the bustling frenzy of a flea market.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to founding CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network, Turner launched multiple TV and entertainment brands -- including Cartoon Network, TNT and Turner Classic Movies.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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The company’s entertainment streaming operation posted an 88% leap in operating income, reaching $582 million.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors are asking a court to remove the driver who hit the trooper from the diversion program.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
State legislators can address these issues by investing in ages zero to five, continuing to pass bills to make housing affordable and buildable, avoiding further cuts to Medicaid and K-12, and stopping the diversion of tax dollars to private education.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
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These sensors enable real-time monitoring across a wide range of conditions, including low light, fog, and obstructed environments, while onboard AI and machine-learning classifiers help identify and flag potential threats.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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The above breaks trends that began with Norris’ upset 2024 Miami Grand Prix win that broke the Invincible Verstappen rampage.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The animal’s body was no longer treated as a source of sustenance or knowledge, but rather as a prop for amusement.—
Sam Zeveloff,
STAT,
9 May 2026
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While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Screenwriter Jeremy Slater takes pains to pay homage to the games as much as possible, featuring so many throwaway references that the aficionados at the press screening were screaming with delight.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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Susie, on the other hand, continues to be a perfect delight.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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