Distractive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /di-ˈstrak-shən/ dis·trac·tion

Meaning & Definition of Distractive

Distractive (noun)

  1. something that distracts, an object that directs one's attention away from something else; especially, amusement
  2. the act of distracting or the state of being distracted; especially, mental confusion

Distractive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in worrisome, painful

    similar: painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, worrisome, brattish, bratty, mischievous, offensive, troublesome, upsetting, biting, grating, jangling, jarring, spiny, thorny, angering, enraging, infuriating, burdensome, discomforting, displeasing, disquieting, distressing, importunate, importune, inconveniencing, abrasive, aggravating, annoying, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, nettling, peeving, pesky, pestiferous, pestilent, pestilential, pesty, plaguey, rankling, rebarbative, riling, vexatious, vexing
    opposite: delightful, pleasing

Related Entry: Distraction (noun)

Distraction is a different word from Distractive. The synonyms below are for distraction, not for distractive.

  1. a state of mental uncertainty

    "in my distraction I forgot where I was"

    similar: bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, confusion, discombobulation, fog, head-scratching, maze (chiefly dialect), muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirl
    related: abashment, discomfiture, disconcertment, embarrassment, mortification, agitation, chagrin, discomfort, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturbance, perturbation, upset, bother, commotion, dither, flurry, fluster, fuss, stew, turmoil
    near: assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, positiveness, sureness

  2. a state of wildly excited activity or emotion

    "driven to distraction by the constant screaming and bickering in the house"

    similar: agitation, deliriousness, delirium, fever, feverishness, flap, frenzy, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar
    related: chaos, confusion, disorder, havoc, pandemonium, turmoil, bedlam, bother, brouhaha, bustle, clamor, clatter, commotion, disturbance, fuss, hoo-ha, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, storm, tempest, to-do, tumult
    near: calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquility, tranquilness

  3. the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public

    "the founder of a recovery program who doesn't view gambling as a harmless distraction for people of modest means"

    similar: amusement, diversion, entertainment, recreation
    related: nightlife, show business, delectation, delight, enjoyment, joy, mirth, gratification, relaxation, relief, satisfaction, exhibition, performance, presentation, presentment, production, show, spectacle, escapism

  4. someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment

    "a harmless distraction for children at the playground"

    similar: delight, diversion, divertissement, entertainment, fun, pleasure, recreation
    related: escape, pastime, time killer, binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree, frolicking, rollicking, carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety, hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling, revelry, whoopee, picnic, laugh, riot, scream, activity, game
    opposite: bore, bummer, downer, drag
    near: killjoy, party pooper

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distractive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distractive:

painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, worrisome, brattish, bratty, mischievous, offensive, troublesome, upsetting, biting, grating, jangling, jarring, spiny, thorny, angering, enraging, infuriating, burdensome, discomforting, displeasing, disquieting, distressing, importunate, importune, inconveniencing, abrasive, aggravating, annoying, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distractive

Words with the opposite meaning of Distractive:

delightful, pleasing

Word Forms of Distractive

Derived words: distractive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Distractive

Middle English distraccioun "state of being distracted, diversion of mind," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French distraccion "inattentiveness," borrowed from Late Latin distractiōn-, distractiō "diversion of mind," going back to Latin, "action of tearing apart," from distrac-, variant stem of distrahere "to pull apart, break up, separate, draw (a person's mind) in contrary directions" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action distract:1

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Distractive

What does "Distractive" mean?

"Distractive" means something that distracts, an object that directs one's attention away from something else; especially, amusement. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: something that distracts, an object that directs one's attention away from something else; especially, amusement.

What is another word for "Distractive"?

Other words for "Distractive" include painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, worrisome, brattish and bratty. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distractive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distractive"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distractive". Common alternatives include painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, worrisome, brattish, bratty, mischievous and offensive.

What is the opposite of "Distractive"?

Antonyms of "Distractive" include delightful and pleasing.

Is "Distractive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Distractive" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Distractive"?

"Distractive" is pronounced /di-ˈstrak-shən/ and divided into syllables as dis·trac·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Distractive"?

"Distractive" comes from Middle English distraccioun "state of being distracted, diversion of mind," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French distraccion "inattentiveness," borrowed from Late Latin distractiōn-, distractiō "diversion of mind," going back to Latin, "action of tearing apart," from distrac-, variant stem of distrahere "to pull apart, break up, separate, draw (a person's mind) in contrary directions" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action distract:1. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Distractive" meaning "as in worrisome, painful"?

When "Distractive" (adjective) means as in worrisome, painful, synonyms include painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying and worrisome. Opposites in this sense include delightful and pleasing.