51Թ

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View synonyms for

distract

[ dih-strakt ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention:

    The music distracted him from his work.

  2. to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset:

    Grief distracted him.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  3. to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse; entertain:

    I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me.

  4. to separate or divide by dissension or strife.


adjective

  1. Obsolete. distracted.

distract

/ ɪˈٰæ /

verb

  1. often passive to draw the attention of (a person) away from something
  2. to divide or confuse the attention of (a person)
  3. to amuse or entertain
  4. to trouble greatly
  5. to make mad
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈٰپԲ, adverb
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adverb
  • 徱ˈٰپԲ, adjective
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adjective
  • 徱ˌٰپˈٲ, noun
  • 徱ˈٰپ, adjective
  • 徱ˈٰٱ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • 徱·ٰi· adjective
  • 徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
  • ԴDzd·ٰiԲ adjective
  • non徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
  • ܲd·ٰiԲ adjective
  • un徱·ٰiԲ· adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of distract1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin distractus “drawn apart,” past participle of distrahere “to draw apart,” from dis- dis- 1 + trahere “to draw”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of distract1

C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from dis- 1+ trahere to drag
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A cross fire will ensue, distracting Timothy from eating the suicide fruit long enough to reunite with his family.

From

Betts felt like his absence distracted from that team’s accomplishment and made the news cycle about him.

From

Americans may be distracted but foreigners and global market-watchers have noticed.

From

It's one that Republican women have often tried to minimize by leaning into a "tradwife" aesthetic, hoping that a submissive voice and affect could distract from their ambition.

From

"General poverty, major political upheaval, alongside other disasters - e.g. the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 - has distracted the country from concentrating on the unpredictable risks from earthquakes," he said.

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