But in 2006 that is not so much degrading as merely distracting; the characters momentarily become far too cheeky for their otherwise dour and indecisive personas.

Often, though, the quotations merely distract one from the trail Mr. Beaser has set out to rediscover, and prevent the work from emerging as a coherent argument.

They did not know for certain whether the charm bound the god, or merely distracted him, or in fact did nothing to restrain him.

The sad thing is the foolish claim that he didn't kill himself merely distracts attention from the appalling way he was treated by the government after he had talked to journalists.

A disheartening third-set line call that might have been expected to send a young professional reeling out of a fierce struggle with Katerina Maleeva merely distracted her for a handful of points.

Here though, rather than overturning the museum's enterprise, they merely distract from it.

Photographs and "images" merely distract fromt he purity of the art.

It merely distracted and brought unresolved emotions to the fore, when he needed all of his energy to preserve his life and that of his lifemate - and to gain that ship!

Other errors are merely distracting.

Merely distracting the right one could break the hold.