Distract Definition

dĭ-străkt

distracted, distracting, distracts

verb

distracted, distracting, distracts

To cause (someone) to have difficulty paying attention to something.

The voices in the other room distracted him, so he couldn't concentrate on his homework.

American Heritage

To draw (the mind, attention, etc.) away in another direction; divert.

Webster's New World

To draw in conflicting directions; create conflict or confusion in.

Webster's New World

To drive insane; craze.

Webster's New World

To cause to feel worried or uneasy; unsettle.

The company's workforce was distracted by the prospect of a takeover.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

adjective

(obsolete) Separated; drawn asunder.

Wiktionary

(obsolete) Insane; mad.

Wiktionary

Origin of Distract

Middle English distracten from Latin distrahere distract- to pull away dis- apart dis– trahere to draw

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin distraho (“to pull apart”), from dis- + traho (“to pull”).

From Wiktionary