(まぎ)らわす

まぎらわす
godan verb (transitive)
to distract; to divert; to dispel
1. to distract; to divert; to dispel
to take one's mind off something unpleasant by focusing on something else
(さび)しさを(まぎ)らわす。
To distract oneself from loneliness.
退屈(たいくつ)(まぎ)らわすために(ほん)()む。
I read books to dispel boredom.
仕事(しごと)没頭(ぼっとう)して(かな)しみを(まぎ)らわせた。
I immersed myself in work to distract myself from grief.

USAGE:

  • (まぎ)らわす (to distract from, to dispel)
  • (さび)しさを(まぎ)らわす (to distract from loneliness)
  • 退屈(たいくつ)(まぎ)らわす (to kill boredom)
  • (かな)しみを(まぎ)らわす (to distract from sadness)

NUANCE:
Implies coping with negative feelings by redirecting attention. The underlying problem isn't solved, just temporarily set aside.

TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive (他動詞(たどうし))

RELATED:

  • (まぎ)れる (to be distracted - intransitive)
  • (まぎ)らわしい (confusing, misleading)
  • ()(まぎ)らわす (to distract oneself)