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detract

[ dih-trakt ]
/ dɪˈtrækt /
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See synonyms for: detract / detracting on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
to take away a part, as from quality, value, or reputation (usually followed by from).
verb (used with object)
to draw away or divert; distract: to detract another's attention from more important issues.
Archaic. to take away (a part); abate: The dilapidated barn detracts charm from the landscape.
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Origin of detract

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, adverbde·trac·tor, nounun·de·tract·ing, adjectiveun·de·tract·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to detract

draw away, backbite, belittle, blister, cheapen, decrease, decry, depreciate, derogate, devaluate, diminish, discount, discredit, disesteem, knock, lower, minimize, reduce, underrate, undervalue

How to use detract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for detract

detract
/ (dɪˈtrækt) /
verb
(when intr, usually foll by from) to take away a part (of); diminishher anger detracts from her beauty
(tr) to distract or divert
(tr) obsolete to belittle or disparage

Derived forms of detract

detractingly, adverbdetractive or detractory, adjectivedetractively, adverbdetractor, noun

Word Origin for detract

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
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
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