Meaning & use

detraction

noun·Advanced

A critical remark or action that lessens the value, reputation, or achievement of someone or something.

See it in a sentence

Despite the critics' detractions, the novel remained a bestseller for over a year.

His only detraction from an otherwise brilliant speech was a slightly rushed conclusion.

A note on using this word

Detraction is fairly formal and often used with 'from,' as in 'this is no detraction from her achievement.'

Words with a similar meaning

disparagementcriticism

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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