distracted

[ dih-strak-tid ]

/ dɪˈstræk tɪd /

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

dis·tract·ed·ly, adverb dis·tract·ed·ness, noun non·dis·tract·ed, adjective non·dis·tract·ed·ly, adverb

un·dis·tract·ed, adjective un·dis·tract·ed·ly, adverb un·dis·tract·ed·ness, noun

"I can't say that I have—er—I mean don't—no, I should say both," murmured he distractedly.

Castle Craneycrow |George Barr McCutcheon
I was rich, and I longed eagerly to share my riches with a pretty young woman with whom I was distractedly in love.

Emmeline |Charlotte Turner Smith
I was distractedly looking for my overcoat, but she gave me a push, and panted out: "Come along, come along."

The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume III (of 8) |Guy de Maupassant
I loved him, I have loved him distractedly, like a madwoman, for the last six months.'

Original Short Stories, Volume 11 (of 13) |Guy de Maupassant

The bear looked about him distractedly, and bit his paw severely, as if to relieve his feelings.

Toto's Merry Winter |Laura E. Richards

distracted

/ (dɪˈstræktɪd) /

bewildered; confused

mad

distractedly, adverb distractedness, noun