Synonyms for distract
dɪˈstræktdis·tract

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.4 / 5 votes

1. distractverb

   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 The mind is abstracted when it is withdrawn from all other subjects and concentrated upon one, diverted when it is drawn away from what it would or should attend to by some other interest, distracted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 AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.7 / 3 votes

1. distract

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

   Antonyms:
   unite, fix, concentrate, collect, compose

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. distract, deflectverb

   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, disorderverb

   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

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. distractverb

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

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "distract":

   divert, deflect, amuse, entertain, hijack, detract

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How to use distract in a sentence?

1. Doug Collins:

   They don't have the evidence, they haven't started an impeachment inquiry, and they're trying to distract from both these realities in the face of pressure from the far left.

2. Muslim Advocates:

   Claims of anti-conservative bias are simply an attempt to distract users and the media from the conservative movements attacks against black communities and other marginalized groups.

3. Thierry Henry:

   I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for Red Bulls, the decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract and although that was never going to change, I didn't want it to distract from the progress of the team.

4. James Gallagher:

   The real problem is California has adopted policies that let criminals continue to commit crimes and get let right out, californians are tired of Los Angeles, and he would love to distract them.

5. White House:

   The refrain that we hear frequently from Republicans is that the federal government merely enforce the law that's on the books, if that isn't just them bluffing or trying to distract from the actual issue, them they should surely support additional resources being dedicated to enforcing that law that is already on the books.