1
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
in my distraction I forgot where I was
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in diversion
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment
a harmless distraction for children at the playground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distraction
Luckily, Hero is on hand, and as Jerome extends his stay ever longer — hence the 100 nights of the title — Cherry’s maid offers to provide distractions.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
The women suffer from their men’s distractions but have, seemingly, little life of their own.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That next chapter, thus far, has comprised a 2-4 record (0-2 in the ACC), and a parade of off-the-field distractions, many involving the 73-year-old Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who also serves as his business manager.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Friday’s decision is thought to be Andrew’s own, and was made in recognition of the fact that his personal issues continue to be a distraction from the wider work of the royal family, his statement Friday said.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Damon Wise, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
The women suffer from their men’s distractions but have, seemingly, little life of their own.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
That next chapter, thus far, has comprised a 2-4 record (0-2 in the ACC), and a parade of off-the-field distractions, many involving the 73-year-old Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who also serves as his business manager.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Friday’s decision is thought to be Andrew’s own, and was made in recognition of the fact that his personal issues continue to be a distraction from the wider work of the royal family, his statement Friday said.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
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The campaign immediately received backlash and prompted confusion from doctors who dismissed its effectiveness.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Rookie Pat Bryant, split out wide, had his hands outstretched in confusion for six full seconds before the ball was actually snapped.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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New technologies at work cause something of a feeding frenzy.—
Nick Tzitzon,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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The pair weathered the media frenzy, however.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One issue is that hypnosis has long been viewed as a form of entertainment, a stage show with a hypnotist and an audience, which can give viewers a sense that hypnosis is something done to you rather than a process that a person is led through.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In parallel, companies had to bolster their scrutiny of customers in neighboring markets to mitigate the risk of diversion and ensure compliance with expanding export controls.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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A little over 10 years ago, Micah Nelson‘s career took a very unexpected diversion when Neil Young asked him, his brother Lukas, and Lukas’ band Promise of the Real to back him on a series of albums, tours, and even a film that kept everyone busy until the pandemic hit.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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About 15 miles away, a National Geographic cruise ship carrying around 150 passengers and crew started to move backward, pulled by suddenly shifting currents through an eerie fog.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Patchy dense fog will result in sudden changes in visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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This Abel Ferrara cult classic follows a mute seamstress who goes on a revenge rampage after being attacked twice in one day on the streets of New York.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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The new security measures announced in May also included a requirement for minors to be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older in the ride area, but organizers announced in August that the 2025 festival would not have amusement rides.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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An airline passenger shared their delight after taking their spot on a flight and finding an adorable dog staring at them from the seats in front.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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The four-time Tony winner closed out her speech with an Irish blessing — sung a capella, much to the crowd’s delight.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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