DISTRACTS Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

distracts

verb

present tense third-person singular of distract

as in diverts

to draw the attention or mind to something else we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside

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as in disturbs

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy distracted by the looming tax deadline

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 distracts Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 May 2026 In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns. — Jordyn Tovey, The Conversation, 22 May 2026 Its artificial-looking color often distracts from the landscaping. — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 21 May 2026 Their romance distracts Berlin, who is usually focused and more emotionally detached. — Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 15 May 2026 Trump is renowned for his transanctionalism and willingness to deal with anybody if the dollar signs are there, but, when immigrants are involved, his interest in exclusion distracts him from the bottom line. — Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 We are told that raising these questions distracts from the issues that matter, such as rising costs, persistent crime and the condition of our city. — Mark Conway, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026 Or maybe a still-working phonograph of Edison’s invention distracts you, until a wall of portraits of 1920s electrical manufacturing workers pulls your gaze in a new direction. — Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Morgan concluded the practice, completing another one of Chesney’s specialties where the entire team distracts the return man from fielding a punt. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracts

Verb

De-extinction, in this line of thought, diverts vital resources from these more important conservation efforts.

— Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Reuters reported in July 2025 that independent publishers filed an EU antitrust complaint against Google’s AI Overviews, arguing that the feature diverts traffic and revenue.

— Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of diverts

Verb

Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
The pier in Michigan City’s Washington Park disturbs the natural flow of sand along the lakeshore, creating new land east of the pier but starving beaches to the west, an erosion problem repeated by other manmade structures that jut out into Lake Michigan.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Definition of disturbs

Verb

If that bothers you, then a significant projection for Bo Nix’s season will make your skin crawl.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
What bothers me more is when passengers take up valuable overhead bin space with personal items like backpacks and jackets before everyone has finished boarding.

— Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 July 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

As neighborhoods have grown closer, Gordon worries not only about the animals’ safety, but also about the rescue’s long-term stability.

— Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Humans Still Need To Connect The Dots One thing that worries me is how quickly people assume AI understands consequences.

— David Van Ronk, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of worries

Verb

That is precisely the capability that unsettles underwriters, because an agent that can decide is an agent that can decide wrongly, and fast.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
But Hyd unsettles this arrangement with their deadpan affect, playing the part of a mourning truth-seeker trying to live in the moment.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026

Definition of unsettles

Verb

Another issue with the heat index concerns the way that it’s calculated.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of concerns

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distractive

distracts

distrait

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“Distracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracts. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of distracts

verb

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