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
The matching tree straps won’t detract from the delicate, beachy vibe of the design.
—
Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2025
At the lake, the right exterior color palette should enhance the appeal of your home without detracting from the woodsy setting’s natural beauty.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
For a winter wedding, opt for a wool topcoat or a sport coat over your evening gown; these timeless, classic garments will keep you warm without detracting from the formality of the occasion.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 2 July 2025
If there’s a certain sameness to many medical memoirs—first baby delivered, first death, first resuscitation, first recognition that medicine cannot always cure—that doesn’t necessarily detract from readers’ fascination.
—Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detract from
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Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2025
At the lake, the right exterior color palette should enhance the appeal of your home without detracting from the woodsy setting’s natural beauty.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
For a winter wedding, opt for a wool topcoat or a sport coat over your evening gown; these timeless, classic garments will keep you warm without detracting from the formality of the occasion.
—Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 2 July 2025
If there’s a certain sameness to many medical memoirs—first baby delivered, first death, first resuscitation, first recognition that medicine cannot always cure—that doesn’t necessarily detract from readers’ fascination.
—Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025
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 5 Aug. 2025.
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