The word "distract" means to draw someone's attention away from something. Here are some synonyms and their explanations:
1. Divert
- Explanation: "Divert" implies a change in the direction of attention. It's like guiding someone's focus onto something else. For example, "The colorful billboards along the highway diverted the driver's attention from the road." This shows that the billboards took the driver's attention away from where it should have been, similar to how "distract" works.
- Example: The magician used his tricks to divert the audience's attention from what was really happening behind the curtain.
2. Sidetrack
- Explanation: "Sidetrack" gives the image of getting someone off the main track or topic. It often means to lead someone into a less important or relevant area of thought. For example, "The interesting anecdote sidetracked the students from the main lesson." Here, the anecdote distracted the students from the central point of the class.
- Example: His phone call sidetracked her from her work, causing her to lose focus on the important report she was writing.
3. Deflect
- Explanation: "Deflect" means to turn aside or cause to turn aside. In the context of attention, it's about redirecting it. For example, "The sudden noise deflected his concentration from the book he was reading." It's similar to "distract" in that it makes the person's focus move away from the original object.
- Example: The bright flash of light deflected her attention from the stage during the performance.
4. Draw away
- Explanation: "Draw away" emphasizes the act of pulling someone's attention in another direction. It's like luring the focus away. For example, "The smell of fresh - baked cookies drew the children's attention away from their toys." This shows that the cookies distracted the children from what they were previously engaged in.
- Example: The beautiful scenery outside the window drew away the passengers' attention from the in - flight movie.