1
as in diverts
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 disturbs
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 distracts
This might mean dropping a product line that’s profitable but distracts from your core business, or saying no to a good opportunity that isn’t aligned with your growth strategy.
—
Minna Hu, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
And best of all, the mirror distracts guests from registering that there’s a coat hanger hiding ‘round back.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
But Democratic leaders said the plan distracts from more urgent legislative priorities and is unlikely to move forward.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Scrolling social media, watching videos, recording videos or using the device in anyway that distracts you and requires your body to do it.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Minna Hu, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
And best of all, the mirror distracts guests from registering that there’s a coat hanger hiding ‘round back.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
But Democratic leaders said the plan distracts from more urgent legislative priorities and is unlikely to move forward.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In the New York Times, Schmidt—yes that same guy who was talking up AGI in April—urged Silicon Valley to stop fixating on superhuman AI, warning that the obsession distracts from building useful technology.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Scrolling social media, watching videos, recording videos or using the device in anyway that distracts you and requires your body to do it.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracts
Verb
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This invites empathy, diverts the conversation toward healing rather than fault-finding and helps both partners challenge the automatic assumption that blame is the only way to respond.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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That type of financing essentially diverts the growth in taxes that comes after redevelopment so it can be invested in ways that support the project.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Currently comprising more than 8,300 active satellites, the Starlink constellation also disturbs radio telescope observations.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The water is perfectly clear — until someone brushes the side of the cave or disturbs the soft bottom, sending fine silt particles billowing into the beam of a headlamp.—
Jennifer Walker,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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What bothers her most is how the refusal seemed to change her brother’s behavior.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Huang worries changes to the combination vaccine recommendations could cause confusion and impact vaccination rates, leading to more disease outbreaks, like the measles outbreak that occurred in West Texas.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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Jetelina worries that the mixed messages, combined with Kennedy’s anti-vaccine signaling, will decrease confidence in vaccines.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
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Silence only angers the other, and exacerbates their criticism and contempt.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
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Yet for all the focus now on the technology’s effects on jobs or geopolitics, what unsettles Altman most are the subtle, almost imperceptible cultural shifts that spread when millions of people interact with the same system every day.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The controversy, which concerns an endorsement deal Kawhi Leonard signed with Clippers’ sponsor Aspiration, has been discussed extensively.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The central story in the film concerns Scott Page, a gay man who helped broker viaticum deals.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Cherry is more versed at keeping her rage simmering just below the surface, Laura struggles to hide her anguish and disgust, which alarms those closest to her.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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But the administration’s approach alarms other Jewish groups and erstwhile academic allies in the fight against campus antisemitism.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracts. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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