Meaning & use
detract
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To reduce the value, quality, or enjoyment of something.
Grammar: Almost always followed by 'from': detract from something. It does not take a direct object.
Patterns
- detract from something
- detract from the value
- detract from the beauty
The dirty windows detract from the beauty of the old house.
His constant complaining detracted from the enjoyment of the trip.
One small mistake should not detract from your overall achievement.
verbintransitive
To make something seem less good or important by comparison.
Grammar: Used with 'from': the scandal detracted from his reputation.
Patterns
- detract from someone's reputation
- detract from the success
The later revelations detracted from his earlier good work.
Nothing can detract from the importance of that discovery.
Word forms
| third person singular | detracts |
|---|---|
| past tense | detracted |
| past participle | detracted |
| -ing form | detracting |
Common combinations
- detract from the value
- The scratches detract from the value of the antique table.
- detract from the beauty
- The ugly fence detracts from the beauty of the garden.
- detract from the enjoyment
- The noisy neighbors detracted from our enjoyment of the evening.
- detract from the achievement
- Minor errors should not detract from the achievement.
- detract from the reputation
- The scandal detracted from the company's reputation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- diminish
- Means to make something smaller or less important, often without 'from'; detract is more specific to reducing value or quality and usually needs 'from'.
- reduce
- A general word meaning to make something smaller or less; detract is only used for value, quality, or enjoyment, and requires 'from'.
- take away from
- A phrasal verb with a similar meaning but more informal; detract from is more formal.
Opposites
Word family
- detraction noun
- The act of criticizing or belittling someone or something.
- detractor noun
- A person who criticizes or tries to take away from someone's reputation or achievements.
Commonly confused: detract or distract? detract or extract?
detract vs distract
Distract means to take someone's attention away; detract means to reduce value or quality. They sound similar but are used differently: 'Don't distract me' vs. 'The noise detracts from the peace.'
detract vs extract
Extract means to remove or take something out, often with effort; detract is about reducing value or quality.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The verb 'detract' is followed by 'from' when talking about reducing beauty or value. The other prepositions are not used with 'detract'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “detract”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.