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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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 In certain situations, loose objects may even become a distraction, especially when drivers try to reach for something while on the road. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 Thiel was even more pointed about the pope, suggesting Leo’s focus on AI is a distraction from the Catholic Church’s legacy of abuse. — Sasha Tuddenham, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 In that film, a director famous for comedies yearns to make grimly earnest movies about the Depression, but learns that what people in dire straits crave is the distraction and release of comedy. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 Schimpf said the setup allows Anduril to give liquidity to employees without the distraction of stock price fluctuations. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 15 Oct. 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
  • Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The confusion unfolded as a steady stream of women’s half-marathon runners crossed the finish line.
    — Vivian Yao, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • This restoration is assembled from Russell’s personal edit, the kind of news that will drive certain cinephiles into a frenzy.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Among the biggest decliners were chip companies, reflecting mounting worries about how long the frenzy over the AI buildout will last.
    — Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of frenzy
Noun
  • The series is produced by sports and entertainment studio Full Day Productions, a Words + Pictures company, in collaboration with Lost Tribe Creative.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hello82, the K-pop entertainment company headquartered in Los Angeles, aims to plant a flag in the market with their upcoming 82World.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Jackson has a prior NFL conduct-policy suspension and avoided criminal charges after a domestic-violence arrest by entering a diversion program.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • While prosecutors bypassed formal criminal charges in favor of a pre-filing diversion hearing, the incident remains subject to ongoing NFL review.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of diversion
Noun
  • Loose white sand blew into the air and whirled around at the edge of the sea like a fog.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Tigers’ entourage, scheduled to appear here for SEC Basketball Media Day, could not take off due to the fog, grounding them for their session, the league announced.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of fog
Noun
  • Their consecutive sacks came over two seasons; Jones went on his sack rampage from Week 5 through Week 16.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Police said Giamanco pursued and fatally shot the 16-year-old attacker, ending a rampage that took the lives of three children and a teacher and wounded two others.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of rampage
Noun
  • Opening in limited release on October 15, critics are more or less united in their awe, amusement, and sheer bafflement at what Fielder and Oppenheim were able to capture.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, which oversees safety inspections of amusement and carnival rides, has also launched an investigation of the roller coaster.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • Leaving aside the comics, tie-books, video games, and other ancillary delights of exploiting successful IP, there’s the Netflix show, of course.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Once a farrier's shop, Bygones Cocktail Bar, centered on a horseshoe bar, has romantic lighting, cocktails executed with joy and delight, and a laissez-faire atmosphere.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of delight

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distracting
distraction
distractions
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Cite this Entry

“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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