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View synonyms for

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: , , , ,

  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

/ ɪˈٰæ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈٰپԲ, adverb
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adverb
  • 徱ˈٰپԲ, adjective
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adjective
  • 徱ˌٰپˈٲ, noun
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adjective
  • 徱ˈٰٱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • 徱·ٰi· adjective
  • 徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
  • ԴDzd·ٰiԲ adjective
  • non徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
  • ܲd·ٰiԲ adjective
  • un徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
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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”
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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
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"He was able to distract Canadians from his own mistakes... and say 'Stop looking at that. Look south of the border and I can save you'."

From

All this yelling and bellyaching serves a pragmatic purpose: to distract from how what they're saying makes no sense.

From

"It needs determination, needs focus. You need to not be distracted by what other people are doing around you," she says.

From

The person being aided by this racial spectacle is Donald Trump, who needs a highly emotional spectacle to distract from how he's failing Americans, including those who voted for him.

From

"No path is without risks. The US is also distracted and may not be willing or be able to assist with crisis management," Mr Clary, who studies the politics of South Asia, told the BBC.

From

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distr.distracted