detraction

1 of 2

noun

de·​trac·​tion di-ˈtrak-shən 

dē-

1

: a lessening of reputation or esteem especially by envious, malicious, or petty criticism : belittling, disparagement

2

: a taking away

… it is no detraction from its dignity or prestige …

—J. F. Golay

detractive

di-ˈtrak-tiv 

dē-

adjective

detractively adverb

detractive

2 of 2

adjective

de·​trac·​tive -ktiv 

-tēv also -təv

1

: tending to detract : given to detraction

detractive influences on the volume of foreign investment

2

: defamatory, calumnious

detractively

-tə̇vlē

adverb

Synonyms of detraction

Noun

• criticism
• defamation
• disparagement
• condemnation
• depreciation
• abuse
• denigration
• derogation
• belittlement
• ridicule
• diminishment

Examples of detraction in a Sentence

Noun

her inevitable detraction of every new idea is annoying to the other club members

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This move by Torras signals a broader cultural shift where the utility of a device is no longer seen as a detraction from its style. —Footwear News, 18 Mar. 2026

Agreeing with Kruse, Commissioner Tal Siddique cited the lack of commercial land as his main detraction for the project. —Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Each heart shaped decanter features layered references to its source and heritage that enhance and frame the spirit itself without detraction. —Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

The main detraction with these was a less comfortable fit. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English detraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French detraciun, borrowed from Late Latin dētractiōn-, dētractiō, going back to Latin, "removal, withdrawal, omission of words," from dētrahere "to detach by pulling, strip off, pull down, deprive of, speak ill (of)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at detract

Adjective

Middle French detractif, from Latin detractus + Middle French -if -ive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction