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 Their prohibition wouldn’t make much of a dent in gun violence, Mr. Sullivan argued, and the proposal takes up immense political oxygen in the state capitol – energizing the opposition and detracting from more effective and less controversial gun control measures. —

Jesse Bedayn, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2024 By restricting the sets to those signature albums, Gibbard made sure nothing detracted from the night's early-aughts nostalgia, when those bands helped to instigate indie rock’s mainstream rule. —

Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2024 But her illness was a major part of her life, her identity, and seemed to, instead of detract from her abilities, sort of enhance her creative life. —

Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 3 May 2024 Unfortunately, the design of the aggressive rear diffuser—a set of aero jail bars—detracts from the fluid silhouette. —

Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 2 May 2024 Some fans worry the out-there antics can detract from the legitimacy of the genre or overshadow newer bands. —

Tamlin Magee, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024 Don't let your faithful companion's odor detract from your snuggle time any longer - give Oster Oatmeal Naturals Baking Soda Shampoo a try! —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Do my gestures complement or detract from my delivery? —

Carmine Gallo, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 Other Black citizens raised concerns the second lawsuit would detract from their initial demands. —

Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detract from.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.