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Definition of "distract" []

  • To cause to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; divert. (verb-transitive)
  • To pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "distract" in a sentence
  • "The truth of it is clear, in part, because there are no special considerations (eg the speech being “free”) that distract from the general truth being true on its face."
  • "They are rabbit trails designed to distract from the point at hand by miring us in long, unsolvable, and previously discussed semantic gamesmanship."
  • "No need to distract from the center ring of this circus."