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.

But those successes distract from the lessons we could learn about modern warfare from the war in Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"There is a Lions tour in 2027 so there are a lot of factors that will distract our girls along the way," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

To be sure, a lot has been happening that could distract people from their tax returns.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Sometimes the blustery weather can distract play, as a takeaway food bag blowing onto the main stadium court during Grigor Dimitrov’s first-round victory against Terence Atmane did on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

Ridge and Gibby falling in love because no one was there to distract them.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Vocabulary lists containing distract

List 3

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"In the Spotlight," Vocabulary from the informational text

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