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

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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 To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026 Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026 Yet, the brooms are out, and the cleanup has begun in earnest, creating a sense that NASCAR pushed away the off-track drama that has distracted the league. —Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 The robotaxi chauffeurs teens around Phoenix and Los Angeles without concerns of a driver becoming distracted or acting inappropriately. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 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
  • Law enforcement officers had removed the mouth of the irrigation tube diverting water from a nearby creek, but all the piping remained.
    — Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Endless overseas conflicts put American lives at risk, drain our resources and divert attention from domestic priorities.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of divert
Verb
  • With their special technology, the cameras can take high-quality videos of animals at night without disturbing them.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • That the president remains fixated on this conspiracy theory, rather than tending to his job as the leader of the most powerful institution on the planet, should disturb anyone who wants America to remain a free and prosperous nation.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Andrew Musgrave crossed the finish line in cross-country skiing today in a tank top, and the cold didn’t seem to bother him one bit.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • My damp clothes didn’t bother either one of us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Other recent departures underscore the tension between some researchers worried about safety and top executives eager to generate revenue.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • But some consumers and lawmakers are concerned the technology allows stores to suddenly hike prices on certain items during high-demand windows.
    — Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • When Reeves’ political future was in doubt last summer, gilt yields spiked as much as 22 basis points in a single day, with market watchers saying at the time that investors were concerned her departure would lead to the government spending and borrowing more.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • But that's not really what alarms me, someone making money off of military advancements.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Officials across the country received the invitation, which has alarmed some of its recipients, according to numerous media outlets.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
    — Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Homebuyers tend to be more sensitive than the law, which is still largely unsettled in regards to the topic.
    — Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • Use your hands to agitate the soapy water through the garment.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The dollar rallied, even though Warsh has been agitating for more rate cuts, which tend to undermine the dollar’s value.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

distorts
distract
distracted
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Cite this Entry

“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of distract for Spanish Speakers

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