DISTRACTION Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

distraction

noun

di-ˈstrak-shən

Definition of distraction

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty in my distraction I forgot where I was

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in frenzy

a state of wildly excited activity or emotion driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in diversion

someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment a harmless distraction for children at the playground

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The one issue that could have been a distraction — Daniels’ attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU in an effort to get the school to stop using Daniels’ name, image and likeness — appears not to have rattled the quarterback. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 There was some distraction when a woman with a dog came in to court. — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 By the time a 24-hour stream of distractions became available via smartphone, every member of the reading public was primed to lean into their most venal interests. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Wrestling for them has become a welcome distraction from the fact that Jenny’s mother is dying of cancer. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction

Noun

The company, which offers credit cards used to make rent and mortgage payments, had fumbled a critical transition, leading to confusion and financial stress for its customers.

— Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Aggregators typically disclose this information in their search filters, and knowing it in advance avoids confusion on arrival.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

Some market participants are already taking action by betting on a cooling AI frenzy.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The companies’ interest in the Monarch data center shows how the feeding frenzy for compute has reached a new pitch as AI companies look to nail down capacity amid the AI buildout.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Potential suitors would also naturally be looking at what the future holds for the entertainment business at large.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The global board game market has been on the upswing since 2020, when people looked for new entertainment and hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertainment

Noun

Brett Erickson, a managing principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, told Politico the pirates were benefiting from the diversion of American resources.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Anyone who has ever seen a medical drama knows about drug diversion — when hospital staff skim from or steal a medication that was meant for a patient.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of diversion

Noun

This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fog

Noun

The shooting came less than 10 days after a high-profile incident in Thailand, where a student went on a shooting rampage at a school on the outskirts of the capital, Bangkok.

— Reuters, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026
The shooting came less than 10 days after a high-profile incident in Thailand, where a student went on a shooting rampage at a school on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of rampage

Noun

In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of amusement

Noun

Cask-finished whiskey has been released by many other distilleries, but as mentioned above, this year marks the first time that Four Roses has entered the category, to the delight of some whiskey drinkers and the chagrin of others.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice delight as academic opposites in this quick-witted, big-hearted and genuinely youthful-feeling British charmer.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of delight

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distracting

distraction

distractions

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“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraction. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of distraction

noun

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