as in confounding
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracting
William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
The clutter is distracting, looks messy, and collects dust.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps his most notable friendship is with loyal longtime bodyguard Bill Bray (Keilyn Durrel Jones) and, to a lesser extent, his savvy manager John Branca (Miles Teller in a distracting wig).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Friends or significant others may be distracting or stirring drama in the background.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Punk was taking off the tape from his hands and threw it onto the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
Also, consider banning visual displays by an attendee of anything other than the participant’s location – visual message displays, inappropriate background material, distracting behavior or inappropriate attire should not be permitted.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Choose a clean, non-distracting background that doesn’t compete with your mug for attention.
—William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.
—Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
The clutter is distracting, looks messy, and collects dust.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps his most notable friendship is with loyal longtime bodyguard Bill Bray (Keilyn Durrel Jones) and, to a lesser extent, his savvy manager John Branca (Miles Teller in a distracting wig).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Friends or significant others may be distracting or stirring drama in the background.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Punk was taking off the tape from his hands and threw it onto the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Research suggests that having small talks with coworkers, while somewhat distracting, can improve your well-being at work.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2026
Also, consider banning visual displays by an attendee of anything other than the participant’s location – visual message displays, inappropriate background material, distracting behavior or inappropriate attire should not be permitted.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracting
Adjective
-
Grief is one of the most confounding aspects of the human experience.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In 2021, one year into D’Amaro’s tenure and following COVID shutdowns, Disney did away with FastPass and introduced a confounding and very costly series of pay-to-skip passes, which require timing advanced booking of limited slots in these formerly free-to-enter shorter lines.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After seeing the image, the Daejeon city government issued an emergency text warning residents of a wolf in the area, and police even reportedly showed the photo at a press briefing while diverting resources to search the area, the BBC reported.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Please order Keegan to make a pre-bathroom coffee for both of us for one week and then stop bothering me about it.—
John Hodgman,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Our universe is full of mysteries, but few are as perplexing as the dark, tiny galaxies that hover around larger ones like the Milky Way.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps the most perplexing part of the Nancy Guthrie investigation for the general public has been the lack of information.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An expansion into New Mexico would add oil revenue from the Permian Basin to Texas, adding to its economy and detracting, in turn, from New Mexico's.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Some asserted that the commitment and costs of traveling and attending meetings paired with the limited compensation was detracting members of the public from running for office.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There is disturbing use by 13-year-olds and those who are older in bike lanes and our once-tranquil walking and bike trails.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Holdbrooks, 69, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges, including murder, theft and disturbing human remains.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the Echoes From the Past creators made the puzzling and terrifying artistic choice to have VR visitors ride outside the sub during the descent.—
Jordan Runtagh,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Everyone already knows about the Red Sox’s struggles, especially at the plate, but the Mariners and Tigers’ early slumps have been equally puzzling.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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