Synonyms for distract
dɪˈstrækt

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. distract, deflect(verb)

   draw someone's attention away from something

   "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"

   Synonyms:
   forfend, unhinge, disorder, avert, ward off, disquiet, bend, obviate, perturb, fend off, stave off, block, debar, avoid, head off, forefend, parry, trouble, turn away, deflect, cark

2. perturb, unhinge, disquiet, trouble, cark, distract, disorder(verb)

   disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed

   "She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill"

   Synonyms:
   unhinge, disorder, perturb, inconvenience oneself, upset, inconvenience, ail, discommode, disquiet, bother, cark, deflect, put out, incommode, disoblige, pain, disarray, throw out of kilter, trouble, disturb, trouble oneself, derange

English Synonyms and Antonyms(2.40 / 5 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. distract(v)

   The central idea of withdrawing makes abstract in common speech a euphemism for appropriate (unlawfully), purloin, steal. In mental processes we discriminate between objects by distinguishing their differences; we separate some one element from all that does not necessarily belong to it, abstract it, and view it alone. We may separate two ideas, and hold both in mind in comparison or contrast; but when we abstract one of them, we drop the other out of thought. The mind is abstracted when it is withdrawn from all other subjects and concentrated upon one, diverted when it is drawn away from what it would or should attend to by some other interest, distracted when the attention is divided among different subjects, so that it can not be given properly to any. The trouble with the distracted person is that he is not abstracted. Compare DISCERN.

   Synonyms:
   abstract, appropriate, detach, discriminate, distinguish, divert, eliminate, purloin, remove, separate, steal, take away, withdraw

   Antonyms:
   add, combine, complete, conjoin, fill up, increase, restore, strengthen, unite

   Preposition:
   The purse may be abstracted from the pocket; the substance from the accidents; a book into a compend.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms(1.67 / 3 votes)Rate these synonyms:

1. distract

   Synonyms:
   divide, dissipate, dissever, disconcert, discompose, perplex, bewilder, convulse, madden, disturb

   Antonyms:
   unite, fix, concentrate, collect, compose

Dictionary of English Synonymes(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate these synonyms:

1. distract(v. a.)

   Synonyms:
   perplex, confuse, discompose, harass, disturb, disconcert, bewilder, confound, mystify, embarrass

PPDB, the paraphrase database(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate these paraphrases:

1. List of paraphrases for "distract":

   divert, deflect, amuse, entertain, hijack, detract

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How to use distract in a sentence?

1. Kamala Harris:

   They're going to engage in an attempt to distract from the real issues that are impacting the American people. And I expect that they will engage in dirty tactics. And this is going to be a knockdown, drag-out. And we're ready.

2. Elizabeth Eaton:

   Denouncing this outrage cannot, however, distract us from the deep wounds of structural racism and white supremacy that have been reopened by the killing of George Floyd.

3. Lauren Graf:

   It can distract customers from what makes foods healthy - nutrient density, fiber content, antioxidants, quality of the fat, etc. It's important to look at health more holistically.

4. Luther Strange:

   Donald Trump are trying to make America great again, and it’s a privilege to work alongside both to accomplish the Trump agenda for the American people, and we need to stop letting the media distract us from that agenda.

5. Eric Schneiderman:

   The subpoena brings us one step closer to a protracted, unnecessary legal confrontation, which will only distract and detract from the work of our respective offices.

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