Detract: meaning, definitions and examples
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detract
[dɪˈtrækt ]
Definition
from reputation
To reduce or take away from the worth or value of something. It can also mean to divert or distract someone's attention.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| detract |
Use when something takes away from the value, importance, or quality of something else. It often implies a reduction in the perceived worth or effectiveness.
|
| diminish |
Use when something becomes less in size, importance, or intensity. It can apply to both tangible and intangible things.
|
| depreciate |
Commonly used in financial and economic contexts to refer to the decrease in the value of an asset over time. It can also mean to belittle or make something seem less valuable.
|
| lessen |
Use in a general context to indicate a reduction in quantity, intensity, or degree. It is often used in everyday language.
|
Examples of usage
- He felt that any criticism would detract from his reputation.
- Don't let personal issues detract you from your goals.
- The new design detracted from the overall aesthetic of the building.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Latin 'detrahere,' meaning 'to pull away.' It combines 'de-' (down from) and 'tractus' (pulled).
- It was first used in English around the 16th century, maintaining its meaning of reducing value or importance.
- Related words include 'detractor,' referring to someone who criticizes or belittles.
Literature
- In Shakespeare's plays, characters often detract from each other's reputation through gossip and slander.
- The concept appears in many moral tales where actions detract from a hero's journey or moral standing.
- In modern literature, tropes often involve protagonists facing distractions that detract from their goals.
Psychology
- Negative feedback can detract from self-esteem, leading to decreased motivation in individuals.
- Research shows that distractions can detract from attention spans and overall task performance.
- The ‘detractor effect’ in social settings suggests that certain individuals can diminish the group’s overall enjoyment.
Pop Culture
- In movies, elements like plot holes or poor acting can detract from viewers’ enjoyment, leading to negative reviews.
- Reality TV often showcases drama that detracts from the supposed purpose of the show, sparking critical discussion.
- Social media can both connect and detract from real-life relationships, causing users to question their online interactions.
Education
- In learning environments, distractions such as noise can detract from a student’s ability to concentrate.
- Critiques can serve as learning tools, but excessive negativity might detract from a student’s confidence.
- Engagement strategies aim to minimize factors that detract from students’ learning experiences.
Translations
Translations of the word "detract" in other languages:
🇵🇹 detratar
- diminuir
- desvalorizar
🇮🇳 कम करना
- घटाना
- नीचा दिखाना
🇩🇪 ablenken
- schmälern
- mindern
🇮🇩 mengurangi
- meremehkan
- mencemarkan
🇺🇦 зменшувати
- принижувати
- відволікати
🇵🇱 umniejszać
- odbierać
- odciągać
🇯🇵 減らす (へらす)
- 価値を下げる (かちをさげる)
- 逸らす (そらす)
🇫🇷 diminuer
- dénigrer
- détourner
🇪🇸 restar
- desmerecer
- desviar
🇹🇷 küçültmek
- değersizleştirmek
- dikkatini dağıtmak
🇰🇷 감소시키다
- 폄하하다
- 주의를 돌리다
🇸🇦 يقلل
- ينتقص
- يصرف
🇨🇿 snižovat
- umenšovat
- odvádět
🇸🇰 zmenšovať
- znižovať
- odvádzať
🇨🇳 减少 (jiǎnshǎo)
- 贬低 (biǎndī)
- 分散注意 (fēnsàn zhùyì)
🇸🇮 zmanjšati
- razvrednotiti
- odvrniti
🇮🇸 draga úr
- gera lítið úr
- beina burt
🇰🇿 азайту
- кемсіту
- назарын аудару
🇬🇪 შემცირება
- დაკნინება
- გადახრა
🇦🇿 azaltmaq
- qiymətini azaltmaq
- diqqəti yayındırmaq
🇲🇽 restar
- desmerecer
- desviar