detracting

verb

present participle of detract
as in distracting
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 detracting An expansion into New Mexico would add oil revenue from the Permian Basin to Texas, adding to its economy and detracting, in turn, from New Mexico's. — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 Some asserted that the commitment and costs of traveling and attending meetings paired with the limited compensation was detracting members of the public from running for office. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detracting
  1. distracting
  2. diverting
Verb
  • Freeland resembles Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, drawing back the curtain that hides the smoke machine when the Wizard of Oz is not a wizard at all, but a carnival illusionist distracting the population.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 July 2026
  • Depicting that dress faithfully would likely be distracting to a modern audience and leave the film unmarketable.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of distracting
Verb
  • By still spending so much on conventional manned equipment, the United States and many other countries are diverting funds from more efficient systems.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
  • Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have ramped exports through those pipelines, diverting millions of barrels per day around Hormuz.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of diverting

Browse Nearby Words

detracted
detracting
detraction
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Cite this Entry

“Detracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detracting. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detracting

Nglish: Translation of detracting for Spanish Speakers

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