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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North Richland Hills fire crews are on scene to deal with the hazmat situation and police are working to divert traffic to clear the backup, police said in a social media post.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the nausea and vomiting, scientists speculate appetite loss is also due to systemic stress that throws off the hormones that regulate hunger.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
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The most viral videos feature fruits in absurd situations, ranging from scandalous affairs with other fruits to baby fruits thrown off a ship (yes, really).—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detract. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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