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 Rich hopes the footage serves as a reminder that even seemingly small distractions can have devastating consequences. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Everyone—blue-collar moms, college students, CEOs—suffers from the distractions of carrying around the pinging, blinking pocket-size casinos that our phones have become. Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Golden Gate revises the design system to reduce the distractions that should never have been present in the first place. Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 13 July 2026 Adults should closely supervise children around water and avoid distractions such as reading, using a phone, or other activities that take attention away from swimmers, the agency states on its website. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2026 Standing atop the mound was pitcher Blake Bryant, who remains calm despite distractions and pressure to perform. Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 9 July 2026 Befitting his scholarly bent, Bouaddi shunned a lot of the distractions that attracted the attention of his contemporaries. Tom Williams, New York Times, 9 July 2026 Later, in his post-match press conference, Pochettino attributed the team’s subpar performance to a bad day rather than external distractions about the Balogun red card. Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 Create focused environments, such as study areas in your home, that are free from distractions. Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 4 July 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
  • Their storylines are strong enough to keep audiences engaged even when convoluted subplots and unnecessary diversions bog down the main narrative between Judith and Debbie.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Outdoor diversions are plentiful, and include Pinnacle Park, spanning about 1,500 acres.
    Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 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
  • Down a dark stairway is the murky world of Bronc’s Tack Room bar, a cavern with pool tables and the usual Stockyards amusements.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026
  • Mita's plans were initially unfeasible due to the site's unique zoning laws, which only allows amusements, retail shops and restaurants, according to Courier Post.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • And once again, the food scene is divine in this city, with Polish delights like pierogi, zurek, and kielbasa available just about everywhere.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026
  • Mornings begin with a gentle workout followed by workshops on topics like breath work and meditation, while afternoons are busy with winery tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, and other cultural delights.
    Katie Camero, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • During this time, the brain starts to shrink, and the misfolded proteins that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s begin to build up — sticky amyloid beta plaques in the brain and tau tangles in neurons.
    Richard Sima, Washington Post, 21 July 2026
  • Conditioning first can also help minimize tangles and create a smoother surface before shampooing.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • And judging by the viral enthusiasm across Instagram and TikTok, with recreations galore, the aesthetic is taking on new life.
    Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 17 July 2026
  • Thanks to the technical wizardry of generative AI, the videos feature photorealistic digital doppelgängers of Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker and Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia, complete with pitch-perfect recreations of their voices.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Distractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distractions. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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