abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.
walking about with an abstracted air
preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.
too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal
absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.
an absent stare
absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.
so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes
distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.
was too distracted by grief to continue working
Example Sentences
If you're feeling distracted, take a break. she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Recent Examples on the WebTo his credit, when not too distracted with work, Peter does try to communicate with his son. Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 He’s played by Red Rocket’s Simon Rex in flowy robes and with the perfect blend of distracted cluelessness and hucksterism. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2022 Doing so would require Japan to assume the expense and risk of acquiring and sustaining an independent military capability—thereby freeing itself from having to hedge bets on a provocative China or a distracted America. Richard J. Samuels, WSJ, 28 July 2022 Many major cities in mainland China have equipped crosswalks with LED lights that shine up from the road to keep distracted jaywalkers alert. Dylan Butts, NBC News, 25 July 2022 But what the Apache research showed, and decades of subsequent research on automobile distraction has confirmed, is that the distracted driving problem is more than mere distraction. Russ Mitchellstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2022 And so my English falters, becomes distracted and nervous. Ling Ma, The New Yorker, 4 July 2022 Another clear contributor to the dramatic recent rise in deaths is the persistent and still-spreading scourge of distracted driving. Dale Buss, Forbes, 1 June 2022 The organization raises awareness of distracted driving — in part by teaching teens to separate from their phones and was created by friends of cyclist, Merritt Levitan, was killed in broad daylight by a texting driver in 2013. Pam Mcloughlin, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
VERBS | ADVERBVERBS➤appear, be, look, seem顯得思想不集中;注意力不集中;看上去心不在焉;似乎心煩意亂▸➤become, get開始思想不集中;走神◇It's easy to get distracted when you're studying.學習時很容易走神。ADVERB➤somewhat, very有些/非常不專注▸➤a little, slightly, etc.有點兒/略微有些不專注◇She seemed slightly distracted, as if something was worrying her.她似乎有點兒心不在焉,好像有什麼事困擾着她。➤momentarily一時走神◇Luke looked momentarily distracted.盧克似乎有片刻心不在焉。