What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detract
Example
The poor lighting detracted from the beauty of the artwork. [detracted: past tense]
Example
His rude behavior detracts from his otherwise impressive skills. [detracts: present tense]
disparage
Example
She disparaged his work in front of the entire team. [disparaged: past tense]
Example
He was constantly disparaging her abilities, which made her feel insecure. [disparaging: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disparage is more commonly used than detract in everyday language. Disparage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while detract is less common and is usually used in formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detract and disparage?
Detract is more formal than disparage. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe a reduction in value or quality, while disparage is more informal and is often used in casual conversation or in personal opinions.
