2 syllables: de, tract. Stress on tract.
dit-RAKT
/dɪˈtɹækt/
detract is pronounced dit-RAKT (/dɪˈtɹækt/). It has two syllables (de-tract), with the stress on "tract". Detract means to take away or reduce the value, importance, or effectiveness of something. It often refers to statements, actions, or factors that lessen admiration, credibility, or impact. The term implies a negative or diminishing influence rather than bringing something forward.
Detract means to take away or reduce the value, importance, or effectiveness of something. It often refers to statements, actions, or factors that lessen admiration, credibility, or impact. The term implies a negative or diminishing influence rather than bringing something forward.
- You might pronounce it as /diˈtrækt/ with a too-long first syllable; instead keep /dɪ/ as a quick, light onset. - Some speakers voice the final /t/ too softly or replace it with a stopped sound like /d/ or a glottal stop; aim for a crisp /t/ release. - Neglecting the /tr/ cluster can yield a misaligned onset; practice the sequence quickly to avoid a hiatus before /æ/.
"Her constant sarcasm detracts from the overall presentation, undermining her credibility."
"Affirmations can uplift a team, while petty criticisms detract from morale."
"A loud, distracting background noise detracts from the speaker’s message."
You say di-TRAKT, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: dɪˈtrækt. Start with a short
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (DÉ-trakt) or merging the vowels into a longer, dull sound like /ˈdiːtrækt/. The correct short i in the first syllable and the crisp /æ/ in the second syllable matter. Ensure the final consonant is a clean /t/, not a voiced /d/.”
US/UK/AU share the /dɪˈtrækt/ pattern, but vowel quality may shift slightly: US tends to a sharper /æ/; UK can be slightly more centralized; AU often closer to US but with a very mild vowel coloration depending on speaker. The final /t/ is usually released in all three, though some speakers may have a unreleased or glottalized variant in casual speech.
The challenge lies in keeping a short, tense /ɪ/ before the stressed /trækt/ and achieving a crisp, alveolar /t/. The cluster /tr/ requires swift tongue movement from a front vowel into an alveolar stop; many non-native speakers insert a vowel or soften /t/. Focus on maintaining a clean /t/ release after /æ/.
The word’s prefix de- may tempt a puffy /dɪ-/, but natural speech keeps a short, unstressed first syllable. The critical cue is the /trækt/ sequence; ensure your tongue arches to hit the /t/ and /k/ timing if you syllabify as de-tract. Listening to rapid speech can reveal subtle vowel shortening in fast context.
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- US: crisper /t/ release, consider rhotic influence only in surrounding words; /æ/ may be more open and forward. - UK: /æ/ slightly higher tongue position, less lip rounding, /t/ lightly aspirated in careful speech. - AU: vowels can be more centralized; try keeping /æ/ near the same position as US-UK with a strong /t/ release; many Australians pronounce with a neutral vowel in unstressed syllables nearby. Use IPA as reference: /dɪˈtrækt/ in all three, with subtle shifts in quality.
Detract derives from the Latin detractus, past participle of detrahere, meaning to pull or draw away. Detrahere combines de- (away) with trahere (to pull). In English, the verb form detract emerged by the 16th century, aligning with senses of pulling away attention, value, or importance from something. The root trahere survives in many related terms (attract, retract, extract, contract). The prefix de- in detract signals removal or reduction, while the stem tract is linked to pulling or drawing emphasis away. Over time, detract increasingly took on abstract senses about diminishing reputation, quality, or perceived merit, especially in discourse about arguments, performances, or factors that lessen a claim’s force. Early uses often referred to literal pulling away, then shifted to figurative language describing negative effects on perception or value. The concept persists in modern usage as a portable critique term: it detracts from something when it reduces its appeal or credibility.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "detract" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "detract" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "detract"
-act sounds
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