as in to divert
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
Even the prospect of another low-scoring Niners-Seahawks slugfest shouldn’t detract greatly from that NFC West rivalry, while the Rams-Bears capper has the potential to set the ratings dials on fire.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Some asserted that the commitment and costs of traveling and attending meetings paired with the limited compensation was detracting members of the public from running for office.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
For Loeffler, a 50-year-old father of three kids, those ever-expanding duties demanded too much time and detracted too much attention from the objects of his sports obsessions.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
If the expansion detracts somehow from the SARA cult fever, the co-owners are OK with that.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 June 2017
See All Example Sentences for detract
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Some asserted that the commitment and costs of traveling and attending meetings paired with the limited compensation was detracting members of the public from running for office.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
For Loeffler, a 50-year-old father of three kids, those ever-expanding duties demanded too much time and detracted too much attention from the objects of his sports obsessions.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
If the expansion detracts somehow from the SARA cult fever, the co-owners are OK with that.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 June 2017
See All Example Sentences for detract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detract
Verb
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In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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The company also consults on zero-waste practices for sets such as recyclable craft services items, and helps divert leftover craft services meals to Every Day Action, which distributes food to organizations in need.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Extra innings Right-hander Justin Slaten (right oblique strain) will throw off the mound on Thursday, Cora said.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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Because the images rotate at a screen-saver pace, my advice would be to focus on the preparatory drawings and cartoons, which are like sparks thrown off some great, beautiful machine.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detract. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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