detract (redirected from detracting)

de·tract  (d-trkt)

v. de·tract·ed, de·tract·ing, de·tracts

v.tr.

1. To draw or take away; divert: They could detract little from so solid an argument.

2. Archaic To speak ill of; belittle.

v.intr.

To reduce the value, importance, or quality of something. Often used with from: testimony that only detracts from the strength of the plaintiff's case.

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[Middle English detracten, from Latin dtrahere, dtract-, to remove : d-, de- + trahere, to pull. Sense 2, from Latin dtractre, frequentative of dtrahere, to take away.]

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de·tractor n.

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detract

Verb

detract from to make (something) seem less good, valuable, or impressive: I wouldn't want to detract from your triumph [Latin detrahere to pull away, disparage]

detractor n
detraction n

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

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

detract - take away a part from; diminish; "His bad manners detract from his good character" take away cut down, reduce, trim back, trim down, cut, cut back, trim, bring down - cut down on; make a reduction in; "reduce your daily fat intake"; "The employer wants to cut back health benefits"

Translations

detract [dɪˈtrækt] vt to detract from → quitar mérito a, restar valor a

detract [dɪˈtrækt] vt to detract from [+ quality, pleasure] → diminuer [+ reputation]; porter atteinte à

detract [dɪˈtrækt] vi to detract from → schmälern;

(effect) → beeinträchtigen

detract [dɪˈtrækt] vt to detract from → detrarre da