Synonyms

sidetracked

American

[sahyd-trakt] / ˈsaɪdˌtrækt /

adjective

distracted from the main subject, task, course, etc..

Sorry for not replying sooner—I’m an easily sidetracked guy with poor time management.
(of a train) moved from the main track to a siding, where it stops temporarily.

Rail officials agreed to move a sidetracked train after local residents complained of the noise, fumes, and vibrations.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of sidetrack.

Etymology

Origin of sidetracked

First recorded in 1880–85; sidetrack ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; sidetrack ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Ravichandran sees a chance that satellite companies get sidetracked and develop products aimed at deep-pocketed defense customers at the expense of other opportunities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The U.S. economy got sidetracked in February by tariff-related price increases, sluggish sales and the previous month’s Winter Storm Fern, but top executives were also more optimistic that business will improve later in the year.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

"I suppose you don't want to get overly emotional and make it too big a thing and get sidetracked from the main objective," Doris said of the legendary trio's home swansong.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

While talking to Schwartz, it’s hard not to get sidetracked.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2024

Apparently, they weren’t in on the doctor’s-appointment-early-return-day for Ryan Dean West, and I’m going to get a little sidetracked here, but I was always totally convinced that Mr. Farrow was completely gay.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023