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Dictionary.com

get sidetracked

VERB
digress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
meander
STRONG
aberrate depart divagate drift ramble roam swerve veer wander
WEAK
be diffuse beat about the bush circumlocute excurse get off the point get off the subject go by way of go off on a tangent long way turn aside wander away
Antonyms
STRONG
go direct stay
WEAK
be direct
VERB
meander
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drift ramble roam snake stray stroll traipse
STRONG
change gallivant peregrinate range recoil rove turn twine twist wind
WEAK
be all over the map extravagate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stay
STRONG
straighten untwist
WEAK
go direct stay on path
VERB
ramble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amble digress meander roam saunter straggle stroll traipse zigzag
STRONG
clamber climb cruise depart divagate diverge drift extend fork gad gallivant perambulate percolate peregrinate promenade range rove scramble snake sprawl spread spread-eagle straddle stray trail turn twist walk wind
WEAK
bat around be all over the map branch off excurse knock about knock around sprangle
Antonyms
STRONGEST
run
STRONG
join stay straighten
WEAK
be direct
VERB
stray
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depart diverge wander
STRONG
digress divagate ramble sin
WEAK
circumlocute do wrong excurse get off the subject get off the track go off on a tangent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stay
STRONG
be direct
WEAK
go direct remain
VERB
wander
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ramble stray veer
STRONG
babble depart deviate divagate diverge err rave shift swerve
WEAK
get off the track go astray go off on a tangent lose one's way lose train of thought talk nonsense
Antonyms
STRONGEST
go direct stay

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Ravichandran sees a chance that satellite companies get sidetracked and develop products aimed at deep-pocketed defense customers at the expense of other opportunities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

“He had the ambition and the drive to do something great and not get sidetracked or settle for less,” says Campbell.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

It’s worth reflecting that there is more to governing than legislating, and even powerful governments can get sidetracked.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

“They stay focused. They keep basketball first. The players that don’t get sidetracked and focused on the things that don’t matter most.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2023

I let the sass slide because I was making a point and didn’t want to get sidetracked.

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia