distracted
adjective
dis·tract·ed
di-ˈstrak-təd 
1
: having one's thoughts or attention drawn away : unable to concentrate or give attention to something
a distracted driver
… everyone else … is too distracted to see how lost and yearning she has become …—
Richard Schickel
Richard Schickel… used to get so distracted by cellphone conversations overheard on the bus that she couldn't focus on reading.—Roni Caryn Rabin
Roni Caryn Rabin2
: harassed, confused, or disturbed especially by strong feelings
a mind distracted by grief
… putting that poor gentleman through a course of questions that nearly drove him distracted.—Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott
distractedly
adverb
distractedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of distracted in a Sentence
If you're feeling distracted, take a break.
she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Recent Examples on the Web
United is releasing a new onboard safety video the airline hopes will capture the attention of distracted passengers, even on multiple viewings.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 16 May 2024
Indeed, safety experts have been sounding a warning for years that the expanding screen size and proliferation of new touchscreen features have a direct correlation to the rise in distracted driving.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for distracted 
Joel Rose, NPR, 16 May 2024
Indeed, safety experts have been sounding a warning for years that the expanding screen size and proliferation of new touchscreen features have a direct correlation to the rise in distracted driving.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for distracted
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distracted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distracted
Cite this Entry
“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distracted. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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