Definitions

distract

[dih-strakt] / dɪˈstrækt /

VERB

divert attention; confuse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

amuse bewilder detract disturb divert entertain fluster mislead perplex puzzle trouble

STRONG

abstract addle agitate befuddle beguile confound derange discompose disconcert engross harass madden occupy sidetrack stall torment unbalance unhinge

WEAK

call away catch flies draw away frenzy lead astray lead away mix up throw off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

anger bore calm clarify clear up comfort explain tire upset

STRONG

help make happy soothe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Given their limited attention span, the last thing a child needs is a film chock-full of loose ends to distract from the crux of the story.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

In the flashback to the car accident, Eddie tries to distract Daphne with a story about a girl and a horse.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Then again, it might be an attempt to distract us from thinking too hard about all the illogic in Zachary Donohue and T.W.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

"Mr Young's attempt to blame certain world events for our termination of the agreement is merely a ploy to distract from his own defaults and failures."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

I don’t let that beeps and boops distract me from the fact Journey said she thinks it is probable that I am going to Mars!

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Vocabulary lists containing distract

List 3

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100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"

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"In the Spotlight," Vocabulary from the informational text

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