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
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
In the first commercial for his shoe, Edwards pulls out signature models from rival brands and detracts them compared to his own.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for detract
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
In the first commercial for his shoe, Edwards pulls out signature models from rival brands and detracts them compared to his own.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for detract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detract
Verb
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That will distract any views of the neighbors’ patios or houses that might linger until the shrubs fill in.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Some medications can help distract the brain, and those are usually tried first.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And major studios are making fewer prestige films of the kind that once used Toronto as a launching pad, preferring to divert more resources to action-heavy blockbusters and family fare.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
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Talk of bringing in the National Guard is less a solution than a distraction — a show of force that diverts attention away from the deeper investments communities need.—
Debra Gittler,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detract. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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