detract

[ dih-trakt ]
See synonyms for: detractdetracting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to take away a part, as from quality, value, or reputation (usually followed by from).

verb (used with object)
  1. to draw away or divert; distract: to detract another's attention from more important issues.

  2. Archaic. to take away (a part); abate: The dilapidated barn detracts charm from the landscape.

Origin of detract

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French detracter or directly from Latin dētractus “drawn away” (past participle of dētrahere ), equivalent to dē- de- + tractus “drawn”; see tract1

Other words from detract

  • de·tract·ing·ly, adverb
  • de·trac·tor, noun
  • un·de·tract·ing, adjective
  • un·de·tract·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby detract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use detract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for detract

detract

/ (dɪˈtrækt) /


verb
  1. (when intr, usually foll by from) to take away a part (of); diminish: her anger detracts from her beauty

  2. (tr) to distract or divert

  1. (tr) obsolete to belittle or disparage

Origin of detract

1
C15: from Latin dētractus drawn away, from dētrahere to pull away, disparage, from de- + trahere to drag

usage For detract

Detract is sometimes wrongly used where distract is meant: a noise distracted (not detracted) my attention

Derived forms of detract

  • detractingly, adverb
  • detractive or detractory, adjective
  • detractively, adverb
  • detractor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012