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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
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 distracted
Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
The Mass General Brigham study found that teens not only acknowledge the risks, but also perceive distracted driving as a common behavior among peers.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Adjective
At the time, Twitter’s ad business was in trouble—and Tesla shareholders worried Musk was too distracted from his supposed main gig, running the automaker.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
The Mass General Brigham study found that teens not only acknowledge the risks, but also perceive distracted driving as a common behavior among peers.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Verb
Don’t get distracted by things that don’t actually matter to you.
—Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracted
Adjective
-
In September 2023, he was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after allegedly being told to leave a suburban Las Vegas casino and becoming agitated at being asked for his ID.—
Dave Collins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 July 2025
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The Covid era marks the start of America’s social collapse, eventually leading to the politically agitated George Floyd riots — a psychic disintegration that resembles Aster’s previous Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid, horror-movie spectacles that some impressionable people take seriously.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Stoic leaders, such as Marcus Aurelius and the great Roman orator Cicero, were intensely preoccupied with justice and the language used to administer it.—
Anna Jankowska,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The guy who typically signs off on public statements may be a little preoccupied.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
At some point, Kevin, dazed but not incapacitated, got on the line with a dispatcher.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
In footage shared by local media, he was seen bloodied, dazed and clutching his mobile phone.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Seven United Airlines flights have returned to their point of origin or been diverted to other airports, according to the American carrier.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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United Airlines said seven of their flights returned to their origin or were diverted to other airports, and added that all other flights scheduled to the airport on Friday were cancelled.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But in the penultimate episode of season 3, Oscar is distraught, having lost his friend, lover, and source of employment, John Adams (Claybourne Elder), in a freak carriage accident.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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The two programs provided health care for those 65 years or older (Medicare) and for the financially distraught (Medicaid).—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
In an Instagram reel, what started as a serene cuddle session between a dog and its owner quickly became a funny surprise, leaving viewers both laughing and tearing up at the canine's bewildered reaction.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
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Europe, broke and bewildered, will have a choice: follow suit or fade into irrelevance and bankruptcy.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
27 July 2025
Verb
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many tourism leaders in gateway towns near them are worried tourists will start going elsewhere if the park experience or its environment gets eroded.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
24 July 2025
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With inflation picking up, and President Donald Trump's new tariff rates threatening to drive prices even higher, some parents are worried about making ends meet.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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