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Obstacle vs Distract - What's the difference?

obstacle | distract |

As a noun obstacle

is something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress.

As a verb distract is

to divert the attention of.

As an adjective distract is

(obsolete) separated; drawn asunder.

obstacle

English

(Obstacle course)

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress
    • A big obstacle to understanding the manual was that it had been poorly translated from the Japanese.

    Synonyms

    * impediment * hindrance * hurdle * See also

    distract

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To divert the attention of.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 10, author=David Ornstein, work=BBC Sport
    • , title= Arsenal 1-0 Everton , passage=While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had warned his players against letting the pre-match festivities distract them from the task at hand, they clearly struggled for fluency early on.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}
    '

    Related terms

    * distracted * distractible * distracting * distraction

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Separated; drawn asunder.
  • (obsolete) Insane; mad.
    • (Drayton)