Meanings
plural detractions
- countableuncountableThe act of detracting something, or something detracted; taking away; diminution.
- countableuncountableA derogatory or malicious statement; a disparagement, misrepresentation or slander.
If indeed we consider all the frivolous and petulant discourse, the impertinent chattings, the rash censures, the spiteful detractions which are so rife in the world[…]
a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number)”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC - countableuncountableCatholicismThe act of revealing previously unknown faults of another person to a third person.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Latindētractiō
- Old Frenchdetraccion
- Middle Englishdetraction
- Englishdetraction
From Middle English detraction, detraccion, detraccioun, from Old French detraccion, from Latin dētractiō.
More words from Middle English, Old French, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with detraction
Cite this entry
detraction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detraction
“detraction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detraction. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “detraction,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detraction.
Source: detraction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.