detract

verb

de·​tract di-ˈtrakt 

dē-

detracted; detracting; detracts

intransitive verb

: to diminish the importance, value, or effectiveness of something

—often used with from

small errors that do not seriously detract from the book

transitive verb

1

: divert

didn't mean to detract attention from the guest of honor

2

archaic : to speak ill of

3

archaic : to take away

detractor

di-ˈtrak-tər 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• distract
• divert

Examples of detract in a Sentence

numerous typos in the text detract the reader's attention from the novel's intricate plot

Recent Examples on the Web

That shouldn’t detract too much from what remain a hugely stylish, powerful little laptop that is ideally suited to business executives who want a device to slip into their hand luggage. —Barry Collins, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefitting turnips, while turnips detract aphids, which benefits peas. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024

And remember, competition is anything that detracts people from your business. —Michael Newman, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2024

That will of course detract so much away from our attention. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English detracten "to speak ill of, slander," in part borrowed from Latin dētractus, past participle of dētrahere "to detach by pulling, strip off, pull down, deprive of, speak ill (of)," from dē- de- + trahere "to drag, draw, take along"; in part borrowed from Latin dētractāre, dētrectāre "to decline, evade, speak or write disparagingly of," iterative of dētrahere — more at abstract entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing detract

• detract from

Rhymes for detract

• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked
• impact
• intact

Kids Definition

detract

verb

de·​tract di-ˈtrakt 

: to take away some of the value or importance

detract from a person's reputation

detraction

-ˈtrak-shən

noun

detractive

-ˈtrak-tiv

adjective

detractively adverb

detractor

-ˈtrak-tər 

noun