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.

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

Films like “They Will Kill You” and those in the “Ready or Not” franchise incorporate visual elements of the divine and satanic to distract from their mediocre screenplays and recycled ideas.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

Once the earnings onslaught fades, though, there will be little else to distract investors from the long-term damage the conflict has wreaked on the global oil market.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

But an alert Gabriel put in a last-ditch effort, applying just enough pressure to distract Simeone as he got his shot away and save Saliba's blushes.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

I knew I needed to distract General Sharpe and the Guardians, and who better than Roho?

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing distract

List 3

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