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
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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
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
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With Cargill distracted, Ripley went on the offensive.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
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Before his interview with IndieWire can begin, Charles Melton becomes distracted by a wayward eyelash.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
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This drove up payments to charter schools by more than 3,000% from 1999 to 2014 and diverted funds away from district schools that still needed to maintain fixed costs, such as utilities, staffing and building improvements.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
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Jurors concluded that LaPierre and others diverted millions of dollars from the organization for personal travel and expenses, as well as no-show contracts used to buy people’s silence.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detracted. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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