detract
verb
de·tract di-ˈtrakt 
dē-
detracted; detracting; detracts
intransitive verb
: to diminish the importance, value, or effectiveness of something —often used with from
small errors that do not seriously detract from the book
transitive verb
1
: divert
didn't mean to detract attention from the guest of honor
2
archaic : to speak ill of
3
archaic : to take away
detractor
di-ˈtrak-tər
noun dē-
Synonyms
- abstract
- call off
- distract
- divert
- throw off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
numerous typos in the text detract the reader's attention from the novel's intricate plot
Recent Examples on the Web Twitter was less than impressed by Kimmel's decision to detract from Brunson's moment, to say the least. 
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2022 The obviousness of dramatic intonation can detract from the abstract aesthetic Koons scrupulously achieves. Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 While having fewer working royals on the payroll may appeal to republicans, such a skeleton crew may inherently detract from the pomp and circumstance that gives this centuries-old institution its magical appeal. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 But all those extra delights don't detract from the churros, which are available served plain with dipping sauce or packed into a container with three scoops of ice cream. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Aug. 2022 But filling a small room to the brim will actually detract from it. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 Climate inactivists have also tried to drive wedges within the climate movement in hopes that in-fighting will detract from the fight against emissions. David Carlin, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021 Claims that buybacks detract from other forms of investment are also flawed, says Jesse Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Aug. 2022 Yet some occasional perspective shifts detract from the film’s overall sensitivity. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2022 See More
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2022 The obviousness of dramatic intonation can detract from the abstract aesthetic Koons scrupulously achieves. Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 While having fewer working royals on the payroll may appeal to republicans, such a skeleton crew may inherently detract from the pomp and circumstance that gives this centuries-old institution its magical appeal. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 But all those extra delights don't detract from the churros, which are available served plain with dipping sauce or packed into a container with three scoops of ice cream. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Aug. 2022 But filling a small room to the brim will actually detract from it. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2022 Climate inactivists have also tried to drive wedges within the climate movement in hopes that in-fighting will detract from the fight against emissions. David Carlin, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021 Claims that buybacks detract from other forms of investment are also flawed, says Jesse Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Aug. 2022 Yet some occasional perspective shifts detract from the film’s overall sensitivity. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin detractus, past participle of detrahere to pull down, disparage, from de- + trahere to draw
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Phrases Containing detract
Kids Definition
detract
verb
de·tract di-ˈtrakt
detracted; detracting
: to take away (as from value or importance) Signs detract from the beauty of the scenery.
detracting
verb
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
Relevance
- distracting
- diverting
- amusing
- abstracting
- throwing off
- straying
- entertaining
- calling off
- wandering
- beguiling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- focusing
- focussing
- concentrating