1
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distract
Unlike many in the industry, ACE is not distracted by charter services, maintenance programs, or management divisions—its singular focus is on brokerage, which allows the firm to deliver tailored guidance, real-time market insights, and white-glove service every step of the way.
—
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
The internal policy seems to be to delay, defer, distract … and ultimately deny.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Sharps advises to avoid putting mirrors directly opposite the bed, noting that this can be distracting and may even disrupt your sleep.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Historians believe daughter Kate, who was a Spiritualist in her early 20s at the time, would distract travelers by offering spiritual healing services, according to the outlet.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025
The internal policy seems to be to delay, defer, distract … and ultimately deny.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Sharps advises to avoid putting mirrors directly opposite the bed, noting that this can be distracting and may even disrupt your sleep.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Historians believe daughter Kate, who was a Spiritualist in her early 20s at the time, would distract travelers by offering spiritual healing services, according to the outlet.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
Verb
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Dort watched the ball traverse over his noggin but did not divert his focus from Haliburton.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
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The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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Later, her sister-in-law texts her, upset that her children were disturbed by her departure.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Whatever discomfort the 38-year-old was feeling didn’t appear to bother him thereafter.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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In prior birthday events, perhaps a couple arrived early and had a cocktail, but never the rest of the party together, so this hadn’t bothered me before.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Participants worried that the policy has an inadvertent chilling effect, deterring individuals from calling 911 when an overdose occurs.—
Katherine LeMasters,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
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Don’t worry about honking horns and urban hubbub, either: Even on the lower floors, the soundproofing is superb and the hotel seems insulated from the outside world.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Having said that, returning from a serious ankle injury is absolutely something to be concerned about.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
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Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Her red Chevy Avalanche was found abandoned with windows rolled down -- a detail that immediately alarmed her family.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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Trump’s sudden rebuke has alarmed some conservative court-watchers, who warn the president’s new approach could fracture a judicial pipeline built over decades.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Trading at lofty valuations, even a slight miss on the revenue forecast was enough to unsettle investors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Today, movies and TV intended for the biggest audience possible often water down their storytelling and generalize in order to avoid anything that might challenge, frighten or unsettle the audience.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The kid is flunking out of private school, has spearheaded a dozen or more extracurricular clubs, agitates to have Latin added to the curriculum, and directs a remarkably detailed stage production of Serpico.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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Dragon boat racing was said to begin after villagers agitated the water and paddled to try to save him or prevent his body from being eaten by fish, according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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