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
But Democratic leaders said the plan distracts from more urgent legislative priorities and is unlikely to move forward.
—
Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Chasing the mirage of consciousness distracts from the urgent task of building AI that helps humans without pretending to be human.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Scrolling social media, watching videos, recording videos or using the device in anyway that distracts you and requires your body to do it.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Chasing the mirage of consciousness distracts from the urgent task of building AI that helps humans without pretending to be human.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Scrolling social media, watching videos, recording videos or using the device in anyway that distracts you and requires your body to do it.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracts
Verb
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Opponents say the program diverts money away from public schools in need of further investment.—
Lina Ruiz
September 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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Talk of bringing in the National Guard is less a solution than a distraction — a show of force that diverts attention away from the deeper investments communities need.—
Debra Gittler,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.—
Jennifer Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In New York, there’s no worry; no one bothers us.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What worries health advocates most is how their region, which drew an outsized benefit from Medicaid expansion, is now vulnerable to an outsized hit.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Luke Tilley, chief economist at Wilmington Trust, worries a downside surprise is coming in the jobs data.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Season 2 picks up after Kimmie marries businessman Horace Bellarie, inheriting a new sense of power that angers her in-laws, Netflix said in its release.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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After being told that Dawn is dead, Gaal mocks Demerzel for pretending to grieve, which angers the robot.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The moped-like sound of the Shaheds whooshing above the rooftops still unsettles but no longer terrifies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Namely, the fact that Powell’s booksellers had been raising concerns about the use AI art long before the merch drop—concerns that management repeatedly overruled.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
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Gurman’s final note concerns the cameras, which may be one of the star features.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the administration’s approach alarms other Jewish groups and erstwhile academic allies in the fight against campus antisemitism.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracts. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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