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distract

verb
dis·​tract | \ di-ˈstrakt How to pronounce distract (audio) \
distracted; distracting; distracts

Definition of distract

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to draw or direct (something, such as someone's attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time was distracted by a sudden noise
b : to turn aside : divert refused to be distracted from her purpose
2 : to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives

distract

adjective
dis·​tract | \ di-ˈstrakt How to pronounce distract (audio) , ˈdis-ËŒtrakt\

Definition of distract (Entry 2 of 2)

archaic
: insane, mad
Other Words from distract Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about distract

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Other Words from distract

Verb

distractibility \ di-​ËŒstrak-​tÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce distractibility (audio) \ noun
distractible or less commonly distractable \ di-​ˈstrak-​tÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce distractable (audio) \ adjective
distractingly \ di-​ˈstrak-​tiÅ‹-​lÄ“ How to pronounce distractingly (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms for distract

Synonyms: Verb

abstract, call off, detract, divert, throw off

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Choose the Right Synonym for distract

Verb

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve. the persistent fever puzzled the doctor perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision. a behavior that perplexed her friends bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking. a bewildering number of possibilities distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests. distracted by personal problems nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible. the remark left us utterly nonplussed confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. the tragic news confounded us all 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

Examples of distract in a Sentence

Verb

 You sneak into his room while I distract him. He was distracted from his studies. The students are easily distracted, especially when they're tired. I was distracted by a loud noise. The local story distracted attention from news of the war overseas.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 One group of tests is designed to distract a patient. — David Armstrong, ProPublica, "In Men, It’s Parkinson’s. In Women, It’s Hysteria.," 23 Aug. 2019 Along those lines, perhaps Avenatti is implicating Williamson merely to distract and confuse. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "How the Michael Avenatti Case Could Disrupt the Basketball World," 19 Aug. 2019 At times, The Family’s willingness to buy into the Fellowship’s mythology to tell a more compelling story seems to distract the show from the core of the real con. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Patriarchal Allure of The Family," 14 Aug. 2019 Luckily, there are plenty of sales to both distract and remind you that autumn is coming soon, from Backcountry's Semiannual Sale to back-to-school sales at some of our favorite retailers. Scroll on to scope our favorite picks. — Wired Staff, WIRED, "19 Great Weekend Deals on Camping Gear, Games, and Tech," 3 Aug. 2019 Saturday, there were some problems with false starts, but not too many to distract Murray. — Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Daily Kyler Murray report: Electricity returns to Arizona Cardinals camp," 27 July 2019 Dressed in dragon attire featuring a 4-foot long tail and a 12-inch tongue, Wilcox would roam the Civic Center to meet with fans, and engage in antics designed to distract the Mysticks’ opponents. — al.com, "Rooting for ‘Chappy’: Why the Stanley Cup Finals are resurrecting Mobile Mystick memories," 6 June 2019 Putin’s subsequent hostility toward the West has employed NATO as a convenient whipping boy to distract attention from his authoritarian rule at home. — Marilynne Robinson, Harper's magazine, "Letters," 10 May 2019 Would also be easily distracted with requests from Paul Pogba for half-time haircuts. — SI.com, "Ranking Film & TV Robots by How Good a Linesman They Would Make," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of distract

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for distract

Verb

Middle English, from Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, literally, to draw apart, from dis- + trahere to draw

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More Definitions for distract

distract

verb
How to pronounce distract (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of distract

: to cause (someone) to stop thinking about or paying attention to someone or something and to think about or pay attention to someone or something else instead
: to take (attention) away from someone or something

See the full definition for distract in the English Language Learners Dictionary

distract

verb
dis·​tract | \ di-ˈstrakt How to pronounce distract (audio) \
distracted; distracting

Kids Definition of distract

: to draw a person's thoughts or attention to something else The TV distracts me when I'm studying.

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