1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preoccupied
lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions
the distracted driver rear-ended the pickup truck that had stopped for the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
she's been chronically depressed and distracted since her husband's death
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in diverted
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
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2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracted
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
But O’Hara is best known for her role as Kate McCallister in Home Alone, the distracted, frantic, righteously determined mom to Macaulay Culkin’s precocious 8-year-old Kevin.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
The investigation revealed the controller, distracted by a third plane circling the airport, delayed clearing the SkyWest flight for takeoff and failed to monitor the runway and airspace adequately.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Adjective
An out of shape owl emerged, followed by jealous girlfriend owl and the ADHD-riddled owl, who is far too distracted to hoot.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
But O’Hara is best known for her role as Kate McCallister in Home Alone, the distracted, frantic, righteously determined mom to Macaulay Culkin’s precocious 8-year-old Kevin.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Her 14-year-old son heard police sirens, and the fear that had kept him awake at night and distracted him in school finally spilled into panic.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
The investigation revealed the controller, distracted by a third plane circling the airport, delayed clearing the SkyWest flight for takeoff and failed to monitor the runway and airspace adequately.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracted
Adjective
-
According to court documents, Shadbar became agitated and threatened to kill the family, using a racist slur in his threats, presumably directed at Robertson’s sons who are Black.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
To their credit, some gun-rights supporters did get agitated over this kerfuffle.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His Davis, with short dark hair and a beard and a glint of dread in his eye, is edgy and preoccupied, maybe even a bit nervous.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Across multiple studies, the participants who disclosed their vulnerabilities became preoccupied with how they were perceived afterward.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, some songs can disrupt our dazed habit of barely listening and give us something to participate in.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But plenty of people tell of being left dazed and destabilized by ayahuasca ceremonies and struggling to return to their previous lives; some make sudden life changes that only bring distress and further trauma.—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Four small planes were diverted by the Air Force after breaching restricted airspace around the stadium, but the aircraft were never considered threats.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The revelation raised concerns about conflicts of interest in American foreign policy, especially given the scrutiny surrounding the US-UAE chip deal over worries the tech could be diverted to China.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
My behavior may have alarmed my roommates.—
Ivy Nelson,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Three days later, her distraught children pleaded for the 84-year-old’s safe return, confirming that law enforcement believe Nancy was abducted against her will and could be alive.—
Dan Reilly,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
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But the show’s standout is Sophia Lillis, whose distraught, morally inflamed Riley is the play’s most original figure.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The study was conducted in a lab, where participants had never slept before, which could have also disturbed their sleep.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If the dirt is disturbed the next day, the den is occupied.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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