detracting
Lessening the value
Detracting means taking away from the value, quality, or importance of something.
The word usually appears with "from": The scratches detract from the painting's beauty.
Her nervousness detracted from an otherwise strong performance.
To detract is to diminish by drawing attention elsewhere or by introducing flaws.
Seeking out imperfections
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
- criticismJudgment of faults
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
reproach · disapproval · objection · condemnation · denunciation · reproof · negative · feedback
Expressing contempt or dismissiveness
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
- cheapeningReducing in value
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
- degradingLowering in worth
debasing · denigrating · downgrading · tarnishing · deflating · undervaluing · disparaging · demeaning
Becoming reduced in degree
- reducingMaking less or smaller
- minimizingReducing to smallest extent
- loweringMoving something downward
- decreasingBecoming smaller or fewer
weakening · undermining · eroding · impairing · shrinking · curtailing · abating · waning
Agreeably attention-stealing
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- deflectingTurning from original path
- drawing awayMoving further from something
- interruptingBreaking in mid-speech
disrupting · derailing · misleading · redirecting · unfocusing · disturbing
Deliberately undermining or destroying
- subvertingSeeking to overthrow
- destabilizingCausing loss of equilibrium
- compromisingExposing to harm or scandal
- sappingGradually draining vitality
weakening · eroding · chipping away · hollowing out · damaging · injuring · hurting · impairing
faultfinding
Seeking out imperfections
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
- criticismJudgment of faults
censure · reproach · disapproval · objection · condemnation · denunciation · reproof · negative · feedback · knocking
belittling
Expressing contempt or dismissiveness
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
- cheapeningReducing in value
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
degrading · debasing · denigrating · downgrading · tarnishing · deflating · undervaluing · disparaging · demeaning · trivializing
lessening
Becoming reduced in degree
- reducingMaking less or smaller
- minimizingReducing to smallest extent
- loweringMoving something downward
decreasing · weakening · undermining · eroding · impairing · shrinking · curtailing · abating · waning · ebbing
diverting
Agreeably attention-stealing
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- deflectingTurning from original path
- drawing awayMoving further from something
interrupting · disrupting · derailing · misleading · redirecting · unfocusing · disturbing
sabotaging
Deliberately undermining or destroying
- subvertingSeeking to overthrow
- destabilizingCausing loss of equilibrium
- compromisingExposing to harm or scandal
sapping · weakening · eroding · chipping away · hollowing out · damaging · injuring · hurting · impairing · crippling
detractingenhancing
Increasing quality or value
improving · augmenting · elevating · enriching · boosting
detractinghighlighting
Emphasizing key parts
emphasizing · spotlighting · accentuating · foregrounding · featuring
detractingcontributing
Giving to a cause
adding · supplementing · complementing · supporting · bolstering