detraction

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformal

   The act of reducing the value, quality or reputation of something or someone.

   Grammar: Uncountable and usually followed by from: no detraction from her work.

   Patterns

   • detraction from something
   • no detraction from something

   The scratches were no detraction from the beauty of the old table.

   He saw the comparison as a detraction from his own achievement.

   Any detraction from the team's victory seemed unfair.

2. 2nouncountableold-fashioneddisapproving

   An unkind comment or criticism aimed at damaging someone's good name.

   Grammar: Countable, and old-fashioned in this meaning: a malicious detraction.

   Patterns

   • a detraction against someone

   The rival's detraction spread quickly through the town.

   She refused to answer the detractions printed in the paper.

   Cruel detractions followed the actor after the scandal.

Word forms

Common combinations

detraction from

This is no detraction from the author's skill.

malicious detraction

The article was full of malicious detraction.

without detraction

He praised her work without detraction.

constant detraction

Constant detraction wore down his confidence.

public detraction

Public detraction harmed the candidate's chances.

Synonyms and how they differ

disparagement

Disparagement means speaking about something as unworthy, and is a close match, while detraction can also mean simply lowering value.

slight

Slight is a small act of disrespect, while detraction is usually a more serious reduction of value or reputation.

drawback

Drawback is a disadvantage of something, while detraction is the act of reducing or criticizing.

belittlement

Belittlement is making something seem small or unimportant, which is a narrower idea than detraction.

Opposites

Word family

detract verb

to take away from the value or quality of something

detractor noun

a person who criticizes someone or something

detractive adjective

tending to lower the value or reputation of something

detractory adjective

an old form meaning damaging to reputation

Commonly confused: detraction or distraction? detraction or retraction?

Practice

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