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Definition of "detract" []

  • To draw or take away; divert: They could detract little from so solid an argument. (verb-transitive)
  • Archaic To speak ill of; belittle. (verb-transitive)
  • 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. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "detract" in a sentence
  • "Let's not detract from the issue at hand, a birth certificate has yet to be produced."
  • "Although that will detract from the street cred of that bearded homeless person look he cultivates."
  • "It is because of their commitment and refusal to detract from the cause that the interim government has been forced to gag the media."