the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation (especially by slander); "let it be no detraction from his merits to say he is plainspoken"
The act of taking away from the reputation or good name of another; a lessening or cheapening in the estimation of others; the act of depreciating another, from envy or malice; calumny
If one thing detracts from another, it makes it seem less good or impressive. The publicity could detract from our election campaign. detract from to make something seem less good