as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
numerous typos in the text detract the reader's attention from the novel's intricate plot
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Recent Examples of detract
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.
—
Kary Love, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
That shouldn’t detract too much from what remain a hugely stylish, powerful little laptop that is ideally suited to business executives who want a device to slip into their hand luggage.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefitting turnips, while turnips detract aphids, which benefits peas.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024
And remember, competition is anything that detracts people from your business.
—Michael Newman, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for detract
Kary Love, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
That shouldn’t detract too much from what remain a hugely stylish, powerful little laptop that is ideally suited to business executives who want a device to slip into their hand luggage.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefitting turnips, while turnips detract aphids, which benefits peas.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024
And remember, competition is anything that detracts people from your business.
—Michael Newman, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for detract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detract
Verb
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As the plant grows around it, the support becomes almost invisible and does not distract from the plant's beauty.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
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This all, of course, was not to distract from the center of her makeup look: a matte red lip.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 July 2025
Verb
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In 2023, another Delta flight diverted to Terceira due to an engine issue.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
10 July 2025
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The plane diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston, and Massachusetts State Police officers took Reid into custody.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detract. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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