distract

verb

di-ˈstrakt How to pronounce distract (audio)
Definition of distractnext
1
as in to divert
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 to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy distracted by the looming tax deadline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distract differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distract are bewilder, confound, dumbfound, nonplus, perplex, and puzzle. While all these words mean "to baffle and disturb mentally," distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

When might bewilder be a better fit than distract?

While in some cases nearly identical to distract, bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

When can confound be used instead of distract?

Although the words confound and distract have much in common, confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

When is dumbfound a more appropriate choice than distract?

The synonyms dumbfound and distract are sometimes interchangeable, but dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

When could nonplus be used to replace distract?

In some situations, the words nonplus and distract are roughly equivalent. However, nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

When is it sensible to use perplex instead of distract?

While the synonyms perplex and distract are close in meaning, perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to distract?

The meanings of puzzle and distract largely overlap; however, puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

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 distract Steven was there for Conrad in that moment too, finding him on the beach hyperventilating and talking him out of the panic to distract him. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 July 2025 Ives had proposed that Tesla’s board step in to restrict Musk’s political activity, which Ives believes is distracting Musk from his main mission at Tesla and thus hurting the stock. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 July 2025 Based on our work with 1,500 financial institutions, here’s how lenders can approach modernization now to minimize interruptions to business while maximizing returns: Pinpoint inefficiencies that slow operations and distract from delivering customer value. —Eric Bierry, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 McClary was the shooter, while Todd Scott tapped on his passenger window to distract the young cop, records show. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
  1. divert
  2. disturb
  3. bother
  4. worry
  5. concern
  6. alarm
  7. unsettle
  8. agitate
Verb
  • All southbound lanes of Texas 121 in the area were closed, and traffic was being diverted to Texan Trail.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
  • While the highway was closed, traffic on Highway 16 eastbound was diverted off the highway at the Main Street exit, according to WisDOT.
    — Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of divert
Verb
  • The indictment against Bolsonaro, as florid as a telenovela script, included disturbing allegations, such as a plot to poison Lula and kill Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
    — Shannon Sims, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
  • When disturbed, the fungus releases spores that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
    — Justin Stebbing, JSTOR Daily, 24 July 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • But one aspect of his robberies bothers him to this day.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 26 July 2025
  • This means that some people might not bother using them.
    — Ben Coxworth July 26, New Atlas, 26 July 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Note: For those who haven’t finished the show, don’t worry.
    — Evan Moore July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2025
  • Still, shivering in the night chill and worrying about sharks for something that may not even lead to a good ride?
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • While some prominent voices have praised Harvard’s response, prospective students may be concerned about the potential ramifications of this ongoing dispute.
    — Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • There’s still reason for parents to be concerned, because dating apps could also be harming kids in other ways.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
Definition of concern
Verb
  • In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.
    — Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.
    — Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • The Almanac said the Southwest, including California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, could experience unsettled, showery conditions on Halloween this year.
    — Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
  • By the late 1800s, in one of their many acts of unsettling America’s natural balance, white men had hunted wolves and mountain lions to extinction in the East.
    — Helen Whybrow July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • This is the fifth meeting in a row of steady rates as Powell continues to defy Donald Trump, who has been agitating for a rate cut and threatening on and off to fire Powell.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 July 2025
  • Dems urge leaders to hold firm on budget President Trump’s supporters, agitating to view government files on Jeffrey Epstein, are still waiting.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 25 July 2025
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

distorts
distract
distracted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on distract

Nglish: Translation of distract for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All