də̇ˈtrakt, dēˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English detracten, from Latin detractus, past participle of detrahere to take away, withdraw, disparage, from de from, away + trahere to pull — more at de- , draw
transitive verb
1. archaic : to speak ill of : disparage , belittle
2. archaic : to take away (a part) from something so as to lessen its value or importance
3. : divert , draw
these exaggerated reports tend to detract attention from the real issue — John Scott
intransitive verb
: to diminish the importance, value, or praiseworthiness of something : derogate
far above our poor power to add or to detract — Abraham Lincoln
— often used with from
any attempt to give a rational proof of the mysteries of religion really detracts from faith — Frank Thilly
Synonyms: see decry