verb

detract

to detract, to lessen, to take away from

The scandal will detract from his legacy.

The scandal will detract from his legacy.

Don't let one mistake detract from your success.

Don't let one mistake detract from your success.

to detract from ((sth.)) to detract from the overall effect

Synonyms: diminish, lessen, reduce; Antonyms: enhance, increase

From Latin de- (away) + trahere (to draw). It means to 'draw away' value from something.

Imagine a tractor 'drawing away' (detracting) part of a beautiful painting, thus lessening its value.

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