as in confounding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in diverting
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracting
Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
In a car, this could be used to hide distracting entertainment displays from the driver while passengers are able to see information such as music playlists or calendar alerts, for example.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Since Davies’ head cam and the witness cameras picked up too many distracting objects on set (such as boom mics), this either interrupted his performance or was too difficult to paint out in post.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
Rather than use distracting phrases that undermine your leadership integrity, do this.
—Terina Allen, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
What emotion is social media distracting users from feeling?
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Haynes relies on photographs, clips from tangentially relevant ephemeral films and soundless remnants shot by mentor/facilitator Andy Warhol, a strategy that can be distracting and rewarding in turns.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Yet another highly sought after PR guru, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the sensational nature of the complaint is distracting from an industry reality.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
The distracting little notification badges!
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
This is a clever way to offer a dual-screen experience without the flaws inherent to current dual-screen laptops, including distracting hinges and designs with questionable durability.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
In a car, this could be used to hide distracting entertainment displays from the driver while passengers are able to see information such as music playlists or calendar alerts, for example.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Since Davies’ head cam and the witness cameras picked up too many distracting objects on set (such as boom mics), this either interrupted his performance or was too difficult to paint out in post.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
Rather than use distracting phrases that undermine your leadership integrity, do this.
—Terina Allen, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
What emotion is social media distracting users from feeling?
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Haynes relies on photographs, clips from tangentially relevant ephemeral films and soundless remnants shot by mentor/facilitator Andy Warhol, a strategy that can be distracting and rewarding in turns.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Yet another highly sought after PR guru, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the sensational nature of the complaint is distracting from an industry reality.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
The distracting little notification badges!
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 22 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
Verb
-
An amendment proposed by Councilman Mark Jeffreys called for diverting I-71 and I-75 southbound to eastbound I-275.—
Erin Couch,
The Enquirer,
24 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, anger simmered among residents who accused the government of diverting the island’s already scarce resources to migrants at their expense.—
Sam Mednick and Thomas Adamson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This perplexing synergy triggers everything from mixed signals and missed messages to an overwhelming feeling that something’s just a bit… off.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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In almost no time Sophie and Laura had managed to untie one knot, only to find a tighter and far more perplexing one at its center.—
Hannah Gold,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Experts warn that an afternoon or evening coffee could disrupt your circadian rhythm, disturbing your sleep.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
7 Jan. 2025
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The Piano Teacher asks you (and teaches you) to stick with disturbing moments and unpleasant characters.—
Ilana Masad,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Chris Coffey, a political strategist who worked on Andrew Yang’s unsuccessful 2021 mayoral run, noted petitioning in the 2025 race starts next week, making Adams’ apparent lack of a campaign operation more puzzling.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
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But a deeper look at the data also suggests something more puzzling: the Gen Z voters who overwhelmingly helped propel Joe Biden to the White House in 2020 are not the same Gen Z voters who backed a second Trump term in 2024.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Maybe the most contentious issue ever to divide these two camps is whether or not to replace notoriously inaccurate human home plate umpires with less fallible machines.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
21 Feb. 2025
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A lot of us in the field, regardless of speciality, like to poke fun at how inaccurate things are depicted on television.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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Bitcoin has dropping back from its all-time high of over $100,000 in the last week as BlackRock quietly confirmed a worrying bitcoin bombshell.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Trump’s sense of his own royalty helps explain at least some of the bewildering changes of recent days.—
Bill McKibben,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
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All of the above is being considered in isolation without the bewildering problems of domestic politics and foreign policy.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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