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distracted

[dih-strak-tid]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR distracted ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the attention diverted: She tossed several rocks to the far left and slipped past the distracted sentry.
rendered incapable of behaving, reacting, etc., in a normal manner, as by worry, remorse, or the like; irrational; disturbed.

Origin of distracted

First recorded in 1580–90; distract + -ed2
Related formsdis·tract·ed·ly, adverbdis·tract·ed·ness, nounnon·dis·tract·ed, adjectivenon·dis·tract·ed·ly, adverbun·dis·tract·ed, adjectiveun·dis·tract·ed·ly, adverbun·dis·tract·ed·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for distractedly

desperately, furiously, crazily, passionately, violently, hastily, intensely, frantically, excitedly, recklessly, energetically, hysterically, insanely, dementedly, exceedingly, excessively, extremely, hard, irrationally, quickly

Examples from the Web for distractedly

Historical Examples of distractedly

  • "But the fellow was forever sticking in here," he burst out, distractedly.

    Tales of Unrest

    Joseph Conrad

  • I heard him slap his forehead, and say distractedly, "But perhaps she is not in a ship."

    Romance

    Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer

  • "I think I've seen to everything," said Mrs. Stanton distractedly.

  • She looked at him distractedly, the fire burning through her heart.

    The Hero

    William Somerset Maugham

  • Distractedly Lady Kelsey sent messages to her nephew and to Mrs. Crowley.

    The Explorer

    W. Somerset Maugham

British Dictionary definitions for distractedly

distracted

adjective

bewildered; confused
mad
Derived Formsdistractedly, adverbdistractedness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012