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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
  • Even a quiet voice can be distracting in an otherwise silent reading area.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Fast movement feels more immediate, while VRR helps reduce distracting screen tearing when frame rates change.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of distracting
Verb
  • The incursions forced Chișinău International Airport to temporarily suspend arrivals and departures Tuesday, sending incoming flights into holding patterns or diverting them to neighboring countries, according to tracking data.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Clients are also experimenting with diverting excess data center heat to warm swimming pools in winter.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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