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as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distract
As for Africa, some thinkers on the continent argue that distracted big powers will leave it alone; a pox on all their houses, in other words.
—
Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Indiana’s killing it in the portal and is probably a bit distracted by other things.
—Sports Columnist, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
And the big reveal, so preciously protected until the very end, isn’t clever enough to distract from such a muted build-up.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
In Oklahoma, House Bill 1597 states that staying within 25 feet of law enforcement, correctional, probation, parole, or EMS personnel with the intent to harass, interfere, or distract them while conducting their duties can be considered a misdemeanor if an initial warning is ignored.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distract
Verb
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Sacramento police diverted traffic from N Street between Fifth and Sixth streets downtown as the march proceeded, Gamble said.—
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The district that would divert sales tax money to pay for the stadium would cover nearly all of Wyandotte County, and state and team officials are looking to redirect local sales tax revenue in addition to state taxes to pay back stadium debt.—
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
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The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.—
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Verb
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Paster is not worried in the slightest.—
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The proposal is a concern for many council members, who worry that such an amendment, if approved, could jeopardize their positions.—
Verb
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Orpin did not respond to follow-up questions concerning the fate of the cidery's canning and retail sales operations.—
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Other concerning signs include constipation, feeling cold all the time, lightheadedness or fainting, and missing periods in girls.—
Verb
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The images alarmed many onlookers, watchdogs and people whose photos had been manipulated, and there was a sustained pushback on X leading up to the change.—
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That the administration appears unconcerned by this fact should alarm everyone else.—
Verb
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Still, even as much as Sweeney loves jeans, maybe she was unsettled by the outsize reaction to her ad promoting them.—
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There was something else unsettling about them.—
Verb
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Because he was getting agitated by the role.—
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Sook and other local TV execs have been agitating for the FCC to eliminate the cap, though such a move is likely to require Congressional action.—
Cite this Entry
“Distract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distract. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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