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 Cook argues this creates an unintentional selfishness, in which your anxious thoughts distract you from noticing what’s actually going on with the people around you. — Hannah Harper, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026 Debbie intervenes to defuse the tension, then gets distracted by the presence of her nemesis, Cha Cha. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 At least 10 million people use the Opal app, whose premium tier costs $100 annually, to lock themselves out of distracting apps, while others pay $59 for the Brick to do the same. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Margot was talking a lot, but I was distracted by the faucet. — Téa Mutonji, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 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
  • After one unit went offline, the Romanian navy blasted riverbed rocks, dredged the channel, and sank barges filled with stones in an attempt to divert more water toward the plant and keep the other unit operating.
    — , CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Taxpayers need to know that almost $200 million of their money has been diverted away from charging stations that could help make commuting with electric vehicles easier.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of divert
Verb
  • Road construction can disturb natural hydrology, said Kate Groetzinger, the communications director for the Center for Western Priorities.
    — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • A couple of years ago, a neighbor’s trees were disturbing the view from their $3-million summer house on the coast of Maine.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • In Texas, lawmakers have been exploring a ban on foreign nationals using Texas surrogates – a move surrogacy experts worry could be the first step toward a statewide ban on the practice.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Port of Los Angeles forklift driver was wearing a life vest and was floating away, out to sea -- cold, worried about sharks and drowning.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Roy can’t escape one difficult question, however, concerning his plans for what’s next after his contract’s up at the end of the season.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And while early-onset Alzheimer’s is rare, that doesn’t mean women should ignore changes that genuinely concern them.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Garcia said that before the attack, residents were already alarmed by a May news release from the city manager of neighboring Rio Vista, who warned that the project and potential annexation could open the door to a giant data center being built.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Terrified Jewish voters—alarmed by progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s anti-Zionist rhetoric—are fleeing to Republican Mike Rogers for self-preservation.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • The Eagles’ cornerback depth chart is unsettled after the top three.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The attack comes just days before fall classes begin at the historically Black university, unsettling students who had recently moved into residence halls and completed freshman orientation events.
    — Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • Paramount and other groups, including cinema chain owners and some Hollywood unions, have agitated for a settlement to curtail months of uncertainty over whether the deal will go through.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Don’t Overload the Washer Towels need enough room to be agitated and thoroughly washed in the machine, so avoid filling it to the brim.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on distract

Nglish: Translation of distract for Spanish Speakers

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