detraction

[ dih-trak-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of disparaging or belittling the reputation or worth of a person, work, etc.

detraction

/ dɪˈtrækʃən /

noun

1. a person, thing, circumstance, etc, that detracts
2. the act of discrediting or detracting from another's reputation, esp by slander; disparagement

Word History and Origins

Origin of detraction¹

1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin dētractiōn- (stem of dētractiō ), equivalent to Latin dētract ( us ) ( detract ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

His relatively modest number of caps, in contrast to some of the other players in that World Cup winning side, is no detraction from his talent.

From BBC

She told the BBC: “Not having that would be a detraction of the ceremony, and we’re very big on pomp in the U.K.”

From Washington Post

Perhaps if the overall production were better, the musical cues wouldn't even be noticeable; but as it is, they're a distraction on top of multiple detractions.

From Salon

And this nagging detraction never quite goes away, making the creators' intention to fully sketch its white characters at the expense of the non-white ones harder to ignore as "Stateless" progresses.

From Salon

Responding to Harris, Gabbard called Assad’s atrocities “detractions,” before eventually saying she doesn’t dispute that he’s guilty of torture and murder.

From Washington Post