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 Block out distractions and enjoy crystal-clear audio with the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026 Its restaurant investments, which also included Boston Market, were labeled a distraction by Wall Street as the Golden Arches struggled. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 For the United States, Gateway was an unnecessary distraction and expense as NASA goes all-in on placing a surface station near the Moon’s south pole. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026 The best Amazon Prime Day K-beauty deals need your full attention this morning because the sale is officially on, with CosRx, Medicube, Anua, and more marked down enough to warrant a little weekday distraction. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraction

Noun

The players’ win brought confusion over whether the injunction applied only to eligibility rules or extended to related rules, such as the transfer portal.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Combs’ rep offered a glimpse into the situation and the confusion seemingly surrounding it.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of confusion

Noun

Spin is the result of eight years of research and development started in 2016 and handled by a team of about 10 tech, fashion and entertainment professionals in addition to Albrighi and Kuo, who serve as co-chief executive officers of the company.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
K-pop has historically been an industry that holds idols — the name given to pop stars in the Korean entertainment industry — to an extremely high standard.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertainment

Noun

Lopez’s mother, Allison Lyman, and other family members had pressed state lawmakers to change California’s vehicular manslaughter law to prohibit diversion in such cases.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Concierge specials such as creating your own gin at a nearby Palma distillery or watching espadrilles being made in Palma’s Olivar market are original diversions.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of diversion

Noun

And liquid nitrogen could transform custard into ice cream in the blink of an eye, engulfing the table in a theatrical fog.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
In some locations, the fog will become locally dense and reduce visibility to one-quarter mile or less at times.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fog

Noun

Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring dozens of others in shooting rampage at the Fort Hood military base in 2009.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Sure, there’s more to the story — first published in 1974 as Stephen King’s debut novel — than its climax, but the title teen’s rampage at prom has become its defining image.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of rampage

Noun

This really feels like a Bahrain GP Ever since F1 announced its plan to hold the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, the naming quirk around the 3,700 miles between the two countries has been a source of online amusement.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Arcade games, go-karts, amusement rides, and more from Fun Spot America are all up for grabs following the Fayetteville park's recent closure.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of amusement

Noun

The more these three play together, the more the emotional register of their music keeps breaching into delight.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Even Jeff, post-premiere, has been a delight, just kind of letting the game play out and not foisting metaphors upon us at Tribal Council.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distraction

noun

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