distractions

plural of distraction
1
2
as in entertainments
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

3

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 distractions From the rigors of learning how to read and write to addressing mental health concerns and outside distractions, students juggle more than just their classroom workloads. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 18 June 2026 In a simple space with minimal distractions, however, the artist’s craftsmanship truly shines. Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The president’s aggressive pursuit of his most politically tough priorities, like new voter ID requirements and killing the Senate’s legislative filibuster, is causing intraparty tension and creating constant distractions for Thune. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 17 June 2026 In addition to digital distractions, the show's hosts have paused to address a variety of phenomena both from this realm and, seemingly, the paranormal sector. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 Another early consideration is nearby distractions—Pavarini recommends choosing a quiet room away from the main household activity centers and loud, busy streets. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026 Small enough to slip into a weekender bag yet powerful enough to block distractions, this portable sound machine features 15 soothing sound options to help create a calmer, spa-like environment. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026 And that's important not just because movie theaters are communal spaces where audiences are, at least ostensibly, forced to put down their phones and other distractions. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 The commissioner also quoted scripture from the Biblical book of Joshua which talks about choosing to serve God amid other wordly and cultural distractions. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distractions
Noun
  • Before the Lost Weekend, John and Yoko had their New York Year — turning their personal confusions into beautifully vivid moments of rage and pain.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among the New Wave of American filmmakers in the mid-’70s, Spielberg and his friend George Lucas stood out as directors with ambitions to make old-fashioned popular entertainments.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
  • Often, producers of these entertainments answer that question through music.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • Weird neighbors and increasingly bizarre diversions plague every attempt Nameless Hero makes to get down the stairs of his building to the man who’s standing outside.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
  • The Ritz Kids program offers fun diversions for children, including a popular Kids Night Out program in which children can have dinner, watch a movie, and play games while parents enjoy a child-free evening.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • And fogs are closer to us than clouds.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 May 2026
  • Over-the-counter pesticides and fogs will not do the job.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Families can enjoy boardwalk amusements in Old Orchard Beach, vintage arcades in York, and water parks in Saco.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
  • There's a mix of on-the-beach relaxation (which is also pet-friendly) and off-the-beach amusements, such as go-kart tracks, a handful of mini-golf courses, a number of ice cream shops, and good restaurants.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • We’re surrounded by sensory delights, and a new book argues that being more attuned to them could be a balm for digital exhaustion.
    Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
  • The psychologists, economists, and happiness advocates have saddled the rest of us with an impoverished and incomplete picture of gratification and its distinctive delights.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Those tests include amyloid and tau PET scans to help detect amyloid plaque and tau tangles in the brain, while allowing for earlier detection and monitoring disease progression, according to the American Brain Foundation.
    Wendy Coschignano-Ford, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
  • Before 2014, bull kelp—a whip-like kelp with bulbous air bladders and trailing blades —stretched across Northern California’s coastline in dense tangles.
    Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • That same collection featured additional floral styles, while the cruise 2027 runway showcased heels with orchid embellishments in lush colors and floppy recreations of spider chrysanthemums.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 17 June 2026
  • Blending intimate personal moments with recreations of some of his most memorable performances, Michael gives audiences an unprecedented look at the artist behind the music.
    Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Distractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distractions. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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