1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preoccupied
lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions
the distracted driver rear-ended the pickup truck that had stopped for the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
she's been chronically depressed and distracted since her husband's death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in diverted
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracted
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
In 2023, Elon Musk seemed too distracted by his latest venture to run the world’s most valuable car company.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Adjective
Some people have suggested that red-light cameras would be helpful, but Linke said that a key way to reduce the number of distracted drivers is furthering education.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
In 2023, Elon Musk seemed too distracted by his latest venture to run the world’s most valuable car company.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
Verb
Don’t get distracted by things that don’t actually matter to you.
—Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracted
Adjective
-
Scenes are set in grimy derelict spaces or feature the ominous sound of agitated bat wings.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
The Defense secretary became agitated during the briefing, which was intended to clarify the intelligence the Pentagon had on the three nuclear facilities before and after the weekend operation.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
To examine this, researchers analyzed data from over 700 young adults aged 18 to 30, comparing emotional regulation and dependence levels across three attachment styles: secure, preoccupied and dismissing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
In an era where so many action movies feel bloated, impersonal, or too preoccupied with setting up spin-offs, Plane is refreshingly straightforward.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
At some point, Kevin, dazed but not incapacitated, got on the line with a dispatcher.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
In footage shared by local media, he was seen bloodied, dazed and clutching his mobile phone.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Seven United Airlines flights have returned to their point of origin or been diverted to other airports, according to the American carrier.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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United Airlines said seven of their flights returned to their origin or were diverted to other airports, and added that all other flights scheduled to the airport on Friday were cancelled.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In between takes, Zaki, in real life Sayed Akbari, was receiving frantic calls from his distraught nieces in Kabul because schools for girls were shutting down.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
The distraught woman can be seen sprinting away from the scene in distress, with one of her sneakers appearing to have fallen off during the terrifying ordeal.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
A couple was left bewildered after discovering an unfamiliar cat helping itself to their own pet's food in a now-viral TikTok video that has left viewers on the platform in hysterics.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Officials in other places that had voted overwhelmingly for President Trump but were far from the front lines of the immigration debate were simply bewildered.—
Campbell Robertson,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Critics of Greene's bill are worried that the legislation could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals, who naturally stand to make more profits from a home sale.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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One of the biggest shifts since the time of Rose is that far fewer Americans are worried about this potential problem.—
Harry Enten,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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