detracted

Definition of detractednext
past tense of detract
as in distracted
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

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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 detracted 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detracted
Verb
  • In his monologue, Gosling began going through the motions of singing a song about Earth (with a planetary model hanging down as a visual) before getting distracted by pop star Harry Styles in the front row.
    Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Less than a minute later, an officer assigned to the race returned to the intersection -- and a police motorcycle raced to catch the four runners who were diverted, and send them back onto the course.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
  • While 16 vessels are waiting for clearance or instructions on their next move, 43 already diverted to alternate ports.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detracted. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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