To reduce the importance, value, or quality of something
Examples:
His constant gossip detracts from his professionalism.The loud music detracted from the dining experience.Critics argue that the subplot detracts from the main story.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Distract
/dɪˈstrækt/
To take someone's attention away from something
Examples:
I got distracted.She's quite adept at distracting us from it.She asks flashing me some sweet, innocent glare to distract me.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Detract is associated with reducing or taking away value.
Distract is related to causing a lack of concentration or focus.
Think of detract with the e, like in extract, as taking away.
Remember distract with the sound dis- similar to disturb, as disturbing attention.
Detract deals with the worth of something, while distract deals with attention or focus.