Distract
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /dɪˈstɹækt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Distract is a verb meaning (transitive) To divert the attention of.
Meaning
(transitive) To divert the attention of.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To divert (attention).
- (transitive) To make crazy or insane; to drive to distraction.
- Drawn asunder; separated.
- Insane, mad.
Example Sentences
The crowd was distracted by a helicopter hovering over the stadium when the only goal of the game was scored.
By Heav’ns, ſuch Virtues, join’d with ſuch Succeſs, Diſtract my very Soul: Our Father’s Fortune Wou’d almoſt tempt us to renounce his Precepts.
Alone ſhee beeing left the ſpoyle of loue and death, / In labour of her griefe outrageouſly diſtract, / The utmoſt of her ſpleene on her falſe Lord to act […]
While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had warned his players against letting the pre-match festivities distract them from the task at hand, they clearly struggled for fluency early on.
Word Forms
- distracts
- distracting
- distracted
Synonyms for distract
Depending on context, synonyms include sidetrack, disquiet, trouble, deflect, perturb, cark.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include deflect, disorder, trouble, perturb, disquiet, cark.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.