detractor

American  

[dih-trak-ter] / dɪˈtræk tər /

noun

1. a person who tries to take away from the quality, value, or reputation of someone or something; critic.

   There were strong reactions after the film was screened in Israel, with the public divided between detractors and admirers.

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Etymology

Origin of detractor

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin dētractor, equivalent to dētract(us) “drawn away” + -or -or ² ( def. ); see detract ( def. )

Explanation

A detractor is someone who puts you down. When you're proposing ideas at work, your detractor is the person who finds fault with everything you say. Use the noun detractor for someone who is always critical. You might describe your brother as a detractor of the government if he complains incessantly about taxes, voting, the President, and all the members of Congress. If a person takes a dislike to you in particular, he is your own personal detractor. The origin of detractor goes back to the Latin word detrahere, "take down, pull down, or disparage."

Example Sentences

Therefore he who allows that Shakespear had Learning and a familiar Acquaintance with the Ancients, ought to be look'd upon as a Detractor from his extraordinary Merit, and from the Glory of Great Britain.

From Eighteenth Century Essays on Shakespeare by Smith, David Nichol

If the Dictator makes a dead set against Smith, the Detractor is pretty sure to find good in him, and may even run him as a whole-souled patriot!

From The Adventure of Living : a Subjective Autobiography by Strachey, John St. Loe

Thus would I have him despicably live, Himself, his Friends, and Credit to survive, Into Contempt from Reputation hurl’d, His own Detractor thro’ a scoffing World.

From The Scribleriad and The Difference Between Verbal and Practical Virtue by Anonymous

Related Words

• critic