distracted 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstrak-təd How to pronounce distracted (audio)
Definition of distractednext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion she's been chronically depressed and distracted since her husband's death

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distract
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word distracted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of distracted are absentminded, absent, abstracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When is absent a more appropriate choice than distracted?

The meanings of absent and distracted largely overlap; however, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can absentminded be used instead of distracted?

In some situations, the words absentminded and distracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

Where would abstracted be a reasonable alternative to distracted?

The words abstracted and distracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When might preoccupied be a better fit than distracted?

While the synonyms preoccupied and distracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

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 distracted
Adjective
The Bay Area’s NWSL side could be playing in a distracted and disorganized fashion, what with the active investigation into Montoya and the coaching staff that is hanging over their heads. —Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025 So your kid is slightly more distracted than usual? —Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 18 Mar. 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
  1. agitated
  2. preoccupied
  3. dazed
  4. diverted
  5. distraught
  6. bewildered
  7. disturbed
  8. worried
Adjective
  • Pedestrians scoot past agitated mutterers or calculate their chances of survival before stepping into a crosswalk.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Female carpenter bees won’t sting unless they’re confined in your hand or become highly agitated.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Remember that kids may be too preoccupied at times to sit down and eat.
    — ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Volkov’s version has a more serious tone and is more preoccupied with the right morals and behavior.
    — Christin Bohnke, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of preoccupied
Adjective
  • Case in point: his goal for Portugal Under-17s against Morocco in September 2023, a ludicrous solo effort that left a trail of dazed defenders scratching their heads and wondering what the hell had just happened.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Sea lions and dolphins have been observed rigid with seizures, acting dazed and confused.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of dazed
Verb
  • Some turned around and others were diverted to Gatwick Airport outside London, Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Ireland’s Shannon Airport, tracking services showed.
    — BRIAN MELLEY, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of diverted
Adjective
  • The film takes place in the pediatric unit of hospital and follows a distraught mother, her son and the nurse who look after them.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
  • His family was too distraught to speak with a reporter.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of distraught
Adjective
  • In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne Elliott’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.
    — Kristina Goetz, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • In the now-viral video, the tuxedo cat crawls out from under the bed, wide-eyed and bewildered.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of bewildered
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
  • Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Others are worried about the fate of the Smithsonian more broadly.
    — Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • An overwhelming 92 percent are worried about a potential recession in 2025.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of worried

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Cite this Entry

“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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