Digressed

To stray from the main topic or line of thought in speech or writing. This can involve introducing unrelated ideas, anecdotes, or side discussions, often temporarily diverting the audience or reader's attention from the central subject. Digression can be intentional, used to provide context, build suspense, or add interest, but excessive or poorly timed digressions can confuse or irritate the listener or reader, disrupting the flow and clarity of the communication. The act of digressing implies a departure, however brief, from a pre-established path or focus. Often found in creative and persuasive writing, it adds to the texture of the work.

Digressed meaning with examples

• The professor, known for his engaging lectures, digressed into a lengthy story about his cat's antics, much to the amusement of the students. Though entertaining, it led away from the core scientific principles, eating into valuable time. They eventually returned to the topic.
• During the important board meeting, the CEO digressed on a tangent about his recent vacation. The board members were noticeably impatient, wanting to focus on the financial reports, so it was a less-than-ideal situation. Eventually, they were able to get back to the main point.
• The author's manuscript digressed into a series of irrelevant subplots. While each individual story was interesting, they failed to develop the central narrative. The editor suggested removing these unrelated elements to improve pacing and focus on the main plot.
• During the trial, the lawyer kept digressing from direct questions, creating a sense of evasion. Though his responses contained interesting observations, they did not directly address the accusations and caused a lot of friction with the opposing lawyer.