detract from
phrasal verb
detracted from; detracting from; detracts from
formal
: to reduce the strength, value, or importance of (something)
They worried that the scandal would seriously detract from her chances for reelection.
The overcooked vegetables detracted somewhat from an otherwise fine meal.
Examples of detract from in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Running out of gas on the mound and losing both games in the Big West Tournament (to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and Hawaii) didn’t detract from the overall feeling that a corner had been turned.
—
Brian Robin, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
In this case, some minimalist, delicate chains with small centerpieces help fill the space created by the neckline without detracting from the main event.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Child care advocates say the fraud allegations are detracting from other, more pressing crises.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detract from
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.
Brian Robin, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
In this case, some minimalist, delicate chains with small centerpieces help fill the space created by the neckline without detracting from the main event.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Child care advocates say the fraud allegations are detracting from other, more pressing crises.
—CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detract from
Cite this Entry
“Detract from.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detract%20from. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
