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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The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 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 14 Jul. 2025.
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