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
Relevance
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
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
Ultimately, this distracts from the struggles experienced by all those marginalized on the basis of gender.
—Jenna Norosky, The Conversation, 14 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
That is when Harbaugh will be able to crystallize for players like Cam Skattebo that football is the priority, and any outside nonsense that distracts from the goal of winning games is not going to be tolerated anymore.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Reading chairs can become hotspots for clutter, which distracts from rest.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, this distracts from the struggles experienced by all those marginalized on the basis of gender.
—Jenna Norosky, The Conversation, 14 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
That is when Harbaugh will be able to crystallize for players like Cam Skattebo that football is the priority, and any outside nonsense that distracts from the goal of winning games is not going to be tolerated anymore.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Reading chairs can become hotspots for clutter, which distracts from rest.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracts
Verb
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Using proprietary technology, such as its allocation engine, Debrand facilitates the management of unsellable inventory and returns—something the Canadian hub said diverts textile waste from landfills and promotes circularity in the fashion industry, as evidenced by the brand case studies.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Both charming decoration and functional solution, the rain chain diverts rainwater from the roof and gutters, transforming it into a beautiful water feature.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil.—
Maria Braganini,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
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There are lots of things weightlessness disturbs, even in the short run.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If the expansion detracts somehow from the SARA cult fever, the co-owners are OK with that.—
Senior Wine Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
15 June 2017
Verb
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None of that, nor the fact Beckham missed all of 2025, bothers Harbaugh.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Even if their own tax bill is manageable, the idea that the wealthy are underpaying — or that the government is wasting their dollars — bothers many.—
Linley Sanders,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With irrigation shrinking and solar replacing crops, longtime farmworker Rosa Ramirez worries about disappearing jobs.—
Jeff St. John,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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More than anything, Arca worries about safety in the shelter — but not from the war.—
Theia Chatelle,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 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
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What angers me is thinking about what could have been.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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An unexpected visitor at the ER later unsettles both patients and staff.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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That’s because Texas terrorizes people from start to finish with its tenacious, arm-waving, in-your-face defense that completely unsettles opponents and takes them out of their offense.—
Kirk Bohls,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And most importantly, concerns that other organizations would use their spending to push for a salary tax in upcoming labor negotiations.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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Lack of direct tax cuts concerns GOP Republican lawmakers say Connecticut still can afford to deliver direct relief to taxpayers, provided the state does a better job controlling the growth of costs.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracts. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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