distract

[ dih-strakt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention:

   The music distracted him from his work.

2. to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset:

   Grief distracted him.

   Synonyms: distress, torment, pain, agitate, bewilder

3. to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse; entertain:

   I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me.

4. to separate or divide by dissension or strife.

adjective

1. Obsolete. distracted.

distract

/ dɪˈstrækt /

verb

1. often passive to draw the attention of (a person) away from something
2. to divide or confuse the attention of (a person)
3. to amuse or entertain
4. to trouble greatly
5. to make mad

Derived Forms

• disˈtractingly, adverb
• disˈtractively, adverb
• disˈtracting, adjective
• disˈtractible, adjective
• disˌtractiˈbility, noun
• disˈtractive, adjective
• disˈtracter, noun

Other Words From

• dis·tracti·ble adjective
• dis·tracting·ly adverb
• nondis·tracting adjective
• nondis·tracting·ly adverb
• undis·tracting adjective
• undis·tracting·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin distractus “drawn apart,” past participle of distrahere “to draw apart,” from dis- dis- ¹ + trahere “to draw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of distract¹

C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from dis- ¹+ trahere to drag

Example Sentences

This administration will likely be unable to deliver on the fundamentals and buyer’s remorse will set in, despite the daily attempt to distract people.

From Salon

But work by his colleague Martin Scott suggests that big stars can often distract from the central message of a campaign.

From BBC

She said Johnson’s rules were an “effort to distract from the real issues facing this country,” but that she wouldn’t let them distract her — even as she follows them.

From Los Angeles Times

Making Shaboozey's name a punchline and a gimmick, however, distracts from him as an artist.

From Salon

McBride on Wednesday called the rule's inclusion an effort to “distract” from other issues, while Mace clarified the policy was “absolutely” an effort to discriminate against McBride directly.

From Salon

Related Words

• amuse
• bewilder
• detract
• disturb
• divert
• entertain
• fluster
• mislead
• perplex
• puzzle
• trouble