as in distracts
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 detracts
If the expansion detracts somehow from the SARA cult fever, the co-owners are OK with that.
—
Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 June 2017
Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detracts
Verb
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Or maybe a still-working phonograph of Edison’s invention distracts you, until a wall of portraits of 1920s electrical manufacturing workers pulls your gaze in a new direction.—
Michael Kilian,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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Ultimately, this distracts from the struggles experienced by all those marginalized on the basis of gender.—
Jenna Norosky,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Using proprietary technology, such as its allocation engine, Debrand facilitates the management of unsellable inventory and returns—something the Canadian hub said diverts textile waste from landfills and promotes circularity in the fashion industry, as evidenced by the brand case studies.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Both charming decoration and functional solution, the rain chain diverts rainwater from the roof and gutters, transforming it into a beautiful water feature.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detracts. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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