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View synonyms for distraction

distraction

[ dih-strak-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the act of distracting.
  2. the state of being distracted. distracted.
  3. mental distress or derangement:

    That child will drive me to distraction.

    Synonyms: craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness

  4. that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration:

    The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.

  5. that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment:

    Fishing is his major distraction.

  6. division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.


distraction

/ dɪˈstrækʃən /

noun

  1. the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted
  2. something that serves as a diversion or entertainment
  3. an interruption; an obstacle to concentration
  4. mental turmoil or madness


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Word History and Origins

Origin of distraction1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin distractiōn-, stem of distractiō “separation”; equivalent to distract + -ion

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Example Sentences

Day by day, it drives people to distraction by diverting energy to mindless legal compliance.

There was a handy distraction in the Che t-shirt the tourist was wearing while celebrating the death.

The New York Daily News declared that “Russian strongman Vladimir Putin has unleashed a weapon of mass distraction.”

All of it feels like a twisted dream—a potential distraction from the depressing post-Manson environment of SoCal.

Still others see the presence of guns on campus as a distraction at best, and at worst, a danger.

They were still a little perturbed by the brilliance and distraction, and it was as an alien that she moved among them still.

He tried to console her, to amuse her, but what distraction could be found to appeal to that monstrously apathetic nature?

But he saw at once that he must not let her see any such feeling; the least hint of it would have driven her to distraction.

Among them was her aunt, pointing with distraction to the fiery edifice, and apparently urging the dragoon to enter it.

Caroline affects a sort of distraction sufficiently well played to induce the belief that she is not listening.

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