distraction

1
2
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

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 While working tirelessly to make America great again there is no room for distraction. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 July 2025 This is when life throws distractions your way, motivation dips and even the strongest intentions get tested. Fred Sassani, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 An effective working-class movement puts action over distraction. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Trying not to get riled by little distractions is also good for one's state of mind. David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for distraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction
Noun
  • Amid uncertainty and confusion, people turn to leaders who promise to guide them out of darkness.
    Emi Eleode, Time, 14 July 2025
  • Split oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to avoid regulatory confusion.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Another trait often ascribed to footballers is courage — the kind that enables them to put their head into a frenzy of flying boots, or take a decisive penalty when thousands are willing them to fail.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • That one came down to a late penalty and sent the French crowd into a frenzy.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Several notable names in arts, culture, entertainment and other areas joined Musetti and Moore in the campaign.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • Every year, The Hollywood Reporter recognizes the town’s best and most influential business managers working behind the scenes to manage the financial lives of entertainment’s most high-profile figures.
    Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The new regulations include a diversion program that refers first-time violators to an online safety course.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • Twenty years later, grant funding from the Department of Justice has set up 61 treatment courts and 30 diversion programs across Wisconsin.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Using a mosquito 'bucket of doom' is much cheaper than getting a pest control service to come fog or spray your yard.
    Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 4 July 2025
  • Heavy rain pelted the rescuers, who also battled fog and 45 mph wind gusts, according to officials.
    Sara Schilling July 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The Facebook group admins point out that Papa Rodger is similar to the name of a hero in the incel community, Elliot Rodger, the 22-year-old who killed seven men and women near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, in a 2014 rampage that targeted a sorority house.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 11 July 2025
  • Shanes James, the man charged with killing six people in a 2023 shooting rampage that began in Bexar County and ended in Austin, has officially been deemed competent to stand trial.
    Austin American Statesman, Austin American Statesman, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • At one point, the support bars bowed inward and the whole chair collapsed toward the ground—much to my friend’s amusement.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
  • But this new version of Krypto is both very powerful and very rambunctious, and Superman has trouble training him, much to the amusement of Superman’s peers like Batman.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Despite stirring up trouble in front of the camera, Rashad has been a dream to work with, much to the delight of her millennial co-stars.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 July 2025
  • That gave San Francisco a 5-1 lead, much to the delight of the thousands of Giants fans present at the intimate minor league park.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 6 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on distraction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!