DISTRACTED Synonyms: 247 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'distracted' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of distracted are absentminded , absent , abstracted , and preoccupied . While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety. // was too distracted by grief to continue working

Q: When is 'absent' a more appropriate choice than 'distracted'?

The meanings of absent and distracted largely overlap; however, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters. // an absent stare

Q: When can 'absentminded' be used instead of 'distracted'?

In some situations, the words absentminded and distracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness. // so absentminded , he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

Q: Where would 'abstracted' be a reasonable alternative to 'distracted'?

The words abstracted and distracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters. // walking about with an abstracted air

Q: When might 'preoccupied' be a better fit than 'distracted'?

While the synonyms preoccupied and distracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others. // too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

distracted 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstrak-təd

Definition of distracted

as in agitated

feeling overwhelming fear or worry she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in preoccupied

lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions the distracted driver rear-ended the pickup truck that had stopped for the red light

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dazed

suffering from mental confusion she's been chronically depressed and distracted since her husband's death

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distract

as in diverted

to draw the attention or mind to something else we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in alarmed

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy distracted by the looming tax deadline

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word distracted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of distracted are absentminded, absent, abstracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When is absent a more appropriate choice than distracted?

The meanings of absent and distracted largely overlap; however, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can absentminded be used instead of distracted?

In some situations, the words absentminded and distracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

Where would abstracted be a reasonable alternative to distracted?

The words abstracted and distracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When might preoccupied be a better fit than distracted?

While the synonyms preoccupied and distracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of distracted

Adjective

In the moment, however, Martins imbues tremendous intrigue through snippets of the seemingly distracted middle-aged driver, Wesley (Renato Novaes), and eventually, through the crash itself. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2026 His first 12 came under the supervision of a coach who was, to put it as gently as possible, somewhat distracted from his job. — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Adams also expects other aspects of professional sports to suffer, predicting coaches and staff members will be just as distracted by the new game. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 My parents were tense and distracted while my siblings were scared. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distracted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracted

Adjective

Altercations between agitated people with dementia and other residents or workers charged with caring for them are disturbingly common in long-term care facilities and private homes.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Migratory birds in captivity develop Zugunruhe, an agitated fitfulness, at certain times of year.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitated

Adjective

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems more preoccupied with posting juvenile memes about the Canadian military than with the conflict.

— Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Many 9/11 first responders alive today feel as Sanchez does, more preoccupied with their survivor’s guilt than their own ailments.

— Lila Dominus, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of preoccupied

Adjective

But the man simply stood there with a dazed expression on his face, swaying gently in the living room of their small, cramped flat, like a lone tree in the breeze.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Laiken Randolph appeared dazed, and possibly on drugs, officers remarked.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of dazed

Verb

Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a former prosecutor who is a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, is alarmed by the dramatic variation across the country.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
In voicemails played in court, they were alarmed by not hearing from Machado and her daughters, Julia and Daniela.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of alarmed

Adjective

The latter seemed distraught over the fact that his first postseason had just ended with a sweep in the ALDS.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Sun, who was given a wild card entry by tournament organizers and was making her WTA Tour debut, appeared distraught after the loss.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of distraught

Adjective

But Iñárritu’s caricatures become people in a way Kubrick’s don’t; as the bewildered President, for example, John Goodman is simultaneously grounded and theatrical in his presentation, recalling his best work with the Coen brothers.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
Five o’clock Saturday, the Riverside Stadium and Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg is fist-pumping a half-bewildered but fully enthused home crowd.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of bewildered

Verb

People, wildlife and domestic animals get valley fever when the soil in these burrows is disturbed, by a dog digging, a kick of the boot, a shovel, construction equipment, wind or wildfire.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Clean Regularly Spiders don’t like to be disturbed, so an unused area of your porch is likely to be attractive real estate.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbed

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distract

distracted

distracting

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“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distracted

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verb

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