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detract

verb de·tract \ di-ˈtrakt , dē- \
|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of detract

transitive verb
1 archaic : to speak ill of
2 archaic : to take away
3 : divert
  • didn't mean to detract attention from the guest of honor
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
—

detractor

play \-ˈtrak-tər\ noun

See detract defined for English-language learners

See detract defined for kids

Examples of detract in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of detract from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of detract

Middle English, from Latin detractus, past participle of detrahere to pull down, disparage, from de- + trahere to draw

detract Synonyms

Synonyms

abstract, call off, distract, divert, throw off;

Near Antonyms

concentrate, focus;

Related Words

amuse, beguile, entertain;

stray, wander;

Phrases Related to DETRACT

Related Phrases

DETRACT Defined for Kids

detract

verb de·tract \ di-ˈtrakt \

Definition of detract for Students

detracted; detracting
: to take away (as from value or importance) Signs detract from the beauty of the scenery.

Learn More about detract

  1. See words that rhyme with detract Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for detract Spanish Central: Translation of detract Nglish: Translation of detract for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of detract for Arabic speakers

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