1
as in diverts
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disturbs
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracts
Investigators said one of the men distracts the victim while another watches the victim input their PIN on the keypad.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
But wrapping this lesson with an expensive animatronic and a pre-recorded show with a Hollywood insider distracts from that message.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
French’s focus on DEI efforts and Islam, some of his opponents said, distracts voters from the actual issues facing Texas’ oil and gas industry.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
Choose roof shingles that complement your home's architecture and exterior color palette, treating the roof as a subtle backdrop that enhances rather than distracts.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Boardwalk trails zig to a marsh overlook, zagging back to a museum that pleasantly distracts the kids.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Suicide is tragic, and prevention is essential — but not through research that distracts from the real risks facing NFL players and young athletes.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Paying too much attention to AI benchmarks distracts from the tech's real value — when it is integrated into existing gaming or entertainment ecosystems such as Tencent's, Ivan Su, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said in a note.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Start by clearing what distracts you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
But wrapping this lesson with an expensive animatronic and a pre-recorded show with a Hollywood insider distracts from that message.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
French’s focus on DEI efforts and Islam, some of his opponents said, distracts voters from the actual issues facing Texas’ oil and gas industry.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
Choose roof shingles that complement your home's architecture and exterior color palette, treating the roof as a subtle backdrop that enhances rather than distracts.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Boardwalk trails zig to a marsh overlook, zagging back to a museum that pleasantly distracts the kids.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Suicide is tragic, and prevention is essential — but not through research that distracts from the real risks facing NFL players and young athletes.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Paying too much attention to AI benchmarks distracts from the tech's real value — when it is integrated into existing gaming or entertainment ecosystems such as Tencent's, Ivan Su, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said in a note.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Start by clearing what distracts you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracts
Verb
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Energy infrastructure under attack threatens global supplies as shipping diverts from critical trade routes, potentially sparking economic shocks worldwide and reshaping energy markets.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dethatching disturbs the soil surface, which can trigger dormant weed seeds to sprout.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The work that disturbs the most is of a translucent man.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That notion clearly bothers Schoen and the organization.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But worries about a potentially slowing economy are pulling downward at the same time.—
Matt Ott,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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But what worries me a little bit more is that some of the professionals at embassies and consuls are not being told to come home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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LaCava said the change seems like another city policy that angers many residents without major impact.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What angers me is thinking about what could have been.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The film’s plot is thrust in motion when a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community, watching as a starry-eyed nurse (Cemre Paksoy) becomes entangled with her mysterious patient (Bruce McKenzie).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
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The entrance of Thea Elvsted (Celeste Arias), a school girl acquaintance, both unsettles and diverts Hedda.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The one that concerns me the most right now is stability in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
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The play concerns an average guy named Berenger (a character name that Ionesco used in other works, and who seems to share some background details with the playwright) who sees the people around him acting strangely and spouting odd sentiments.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But that's not really what alarms me, someone making money off of military advancements.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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But what alarms him most is the silence from the business community.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracts. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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