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

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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
  • The previous time the New York Knicks won an NBA Final, in 1973, in-game sound was basically unheard-of in basketball—too distracting for players and fans.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • Low-cost drones are also increasingly being paired with high-end weapons to improve their effectiveness by distracting or overwhelming enemy air defenses.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of distracting
Verb
  • Saudi Arabia has been diverting roughly 4 million barrels a day through its East-West pipeline, according to Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • The conflict is also deepening these vulnerabilities by diverting governments’ attention, capacity, and funding away from the climate resilience and adaptation investments their populations urgently need.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of diverting

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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 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detracting

Nglish: Translation of detracting for Spanish Speakers

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