detract

[ dih-trakt ]

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.

detract

/ dɪˈtrækt /

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by from to take away a part (of); diminish

   her anger detracts from her beauty

2. tr to distract or divert
3. obsolete.
   tr to belittle or disparage

Usage

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

Derived Forms

• deˈtractor, noun
• deˈtractively, adverb
• deˈtractive, adjective
• deˈtractingly, adverb

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detract¹

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”; tract ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of detract¹

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

Example Sentences

That does give us all pause — but it doesn’t take away or detract from where I think the market is headed.

From Digiday

This new lens hardly detracts from Linda’s magnificent saga.

From Time

More frustrating is the way its stage-managed surface detracts from everything that’s more distinctive and spontaneous about the Haarts’ story.

From Time

Experts fear such fake news detracts from how trafficking really happens.

From Ozy

If they keep throwing curve balls or adding on things, that detracts from what they’ve hired us to do.

From Digiday

“Pillows are ‘light,’ ‘fluffy,’ and may detract from our message,” she wrote.

From The Daily Beast

His conservatism, which is more of a cultural than political kidney, seems to fascinate, delight or detract critics.

From The Daily Beast

Abortion-rights advocates by no means seek to detract from LGBT movement or begrudge it victories.

From The Daily Beast

But the religious iconography did not detract from the excitement brewing in the room.

From The Daily Beast

Clarence Thomas had 48 votes against him, a fact that does not, alas, detract a whit from his votes and opinions.

From The Daily Beast

She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract an iota from the grace of every step, pose, gesture.

From Project Gutenberg

And to confirmeYour grace towards me, against all such as may Detract my actions, and life hereafter,I now preferre it to you.

From Project Gutenberg

It does not detract from his merits, it rather adds thereto, that his brush was also photographic.

From Project Gutenberg

If I add that he is in one respect to be included among the most virulent, I do not necessarily detract from his value.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor does it detract from his fame as a man of genius that he did not originate the most profound of his declarations.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• draw away