Distracted, Distrait & Distraught

Distracted means to call attention away from the focus of a situation: “The loud shout on the street distracted the attention of the people in the bank.”

Distrait means inattentive or preoccupied, especially because of anxiety: “When she didn’t show up for the meeting, her partner was uneasy and distrait.”

Distraught means confused or stirred up due to mental conflict, anxiety or doubt: “When the child got late to reach home, his mother did become very distraught.”

My mother appeared to be distraught and distrait during the school meeting. We were all distracted by the noise of the train speeding past across the street.