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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detract
Russia is already profiting from a surge in global energy prices, and could hope that the Mideast war will detract attention from Ukraine and deplete Western arsenals.
—
ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The good news is that these issues are easily corrected in post-processing and do not detract much from the overall experience.
—Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
To center Jack instead, however, might have detracted too much from his role as an object of warped desire within the house.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for detract
ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
The good news is that these issues are easily corrected in post-processing and do not detract much from the overall experience.
—Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
To center Jack instead, however, might have detracted too much from his role as an object of warped desire within the house.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for detract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detract
Verb
-
Ukraine has retained roughly the same interception rates for drones as before the recent escalation, downing around 90% of them each month and using electronic warfare to divert some munitions away from populated areas.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Because the city did not lock in strict legal rules for spending the new funds, even though the hotel tax has historically helped fund local arts programs, leaders could technically divert the cash to other priorities later.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Chip stocks, however, stumbled; bitcoin is hovering at its weakest since the war began, private credit is throwing off sparks again — and a flesh-eating parasite has turned up in Texas.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Data centers primarily use water to cool server racks, which throw off massive amounts of heat.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detract. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
