distraction

noun

di-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce distraction (audio)
Definition of distractionnext
1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty in my distraction I forgot where I was

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2
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house

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3
as in entertainment
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public the founder of a recovery program who doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means

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4
as in diversion
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment a harmless distraction for children at the playground

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 distraction As the evening progressed, however, the noise died down, and the makeshift set at the base of the Statue of Liberty sprung into action, securing a performance without distractions. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 Business should spike further today given that most of the nation is off for the July 4 holiday, however, it’s bound to ease tomorrow due to the distraction of festivities. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 July 2026 And yet the situation has the potential of becoming a bigger distraction and handcuffing Yzerman from building the roster further. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Mexico’s primetime meeting with England was all but designed to serve up big TV numbers, as the Sunday night slot is largely unobstructed by potential audience-spoiling distractions. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
  1. confusion
  2. frenzy
  3. entertainment
  4. diversion
  5. fog
  6. rampage
  7. amusement
  8. delight
Noun
  • Even though talks with the Boston Red Sox at last year’s deadline never got close, the confusion provided by an incorrect tweet announcing Ryan’s trade to New England put the pitcher at the top of every trade list before the season even began.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • There have been confusion and contradictions in the lead up to the visit over accommodation arrangements for the Sussex family.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • Fourteen minutes into the game, midfielder Jhon Arias drove a cross from winger Luis Suarez into the right corner of the net to give Colombia a 1-0 lead and send Pais MX into a frenzy.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • As the first week of the knockout rounds comes to a close, the soccer frenzy is translating into a short-term rental boom, with locals cashing in by renting out their homes.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of frenzy
Noun
  • New York Police shut down the immediate vicinity of Madison Square Garden and closed part of 7th Avenue bottlenecking traffic near the iconic sports and entertainment arena.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Theaters were there for us as an affordable diversion during the Great Depression and World War II, and more recently have been a haven for anyone needing air conditioning or a popcorn bucket.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Supporters of the diversion program say that the program has had reasonable levels of success in California.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of diversion
Noun
  • When Ian Happ made the final out of the frame, the umpires convened and called a delay, a rare stoppage because of the fog-shrouded Wrigley Field.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Dense fog shrouded the Golden Gate Bridge and masked the city's fireworks display.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of fog
Noun
  • For example, nine people died in 2024 from elephant rampages at Kerala temple festivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • Brandon Aiyuk continued his online rampage against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, taking shots at the team and his now former agent as the disgruntled wide receiver keeps publicly pleading for his release.
    — Mercury News staff, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
Definition of rampage
Noun
  • Knoebels was named America’s best amusement and water park for 2026 in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which is based on reviews.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • One of the artists Olivier interviewed, Xang, rapped at blistering decibels to the delight and confusion of a couple hundred stylish black and brown kids.
    — Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • By the time Soto picked the ball up and looked toward the infield, Springer was already around third base to score his Little League home run to the delight of the Rogers Centre crowd.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of delight

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distraction
distractions
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Cite this Entry

“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on distraction

Nglish: Translation of distraction for Spanish Speakers

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