detrimental

1 of 2

adjective

det·​ri·​men·​tal ˌde-trə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce detrimental (audio)
: obviously harmful : damaging
the detrimental effects of pollution
detrimentally adverb

detrimental

2 of 2

noun

det·​ri·​men·​tal ˌde-trə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce detrimental (audio)
: an undesirable or harmful person or thing
Choose the Right Synonym for detrimental

pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful.

pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

Examples of detrimental in a Sentence

Adjective In context, the word "corruption" summarized the opinion (set forth in some of the books mentioned in the review) that, as a general matter, the growing financial dependence of the medical profession on the pharmaceutical industry is profoundly detrimental to sound public, medical, and scientific policy. New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Healthy people can harbor Klebsiella to no detrimental effect; those with debilitating conditions, like liver disease or severe diabetes, or those recovering from major surgery, are most likely to fall ill. Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 & 18 Aug. 2008
Unfortunately, tourism, along with dynamite fishing and poaching, has proved detrimental to the park's coral reefs, mangrove complexes, coastal wetlands and marine species. Nature Conservancy Landmarks, Fall 2003
there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But there seems to be a disconnect between the detrimental effects of burnout—like lower productivity and engagement—and how much bosses view it as an issue affecting their companies. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 In lawsuits and through unsuccessful union campaigns, Walmart workers have said the company’s business practices have been detrimental to their physical, mental and emotional health. Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Now, according to a recent study, CEO Elon Musk’s insistence on adjusting MSRPs based on market conditions has had detrimental effects on Tesla’s resale value. Tom McParland / Jalopnik, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 This sweeping law allows the president to temporarily suspend or restrict the entry of all foreigners if their arrival is detrimental to the U.S. This obscure law gained attention when Trump used it in January 2017 to implement a travel ban on foreigners from mainly Muslim countries. Jean Lantz Reisz, The Conversation, 8 Mar. 2024 Whatever was behind them, rumors were often detrimental to the Allies’ cause and, in the worst cases, actually deadly. Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 In the one-minute video, spring break is discussed not as the iconic party fest it's become known as, but rather as a dreaded yearly occurrence that is detrimental to Miami Beach locals, law enforcement, businesses and property. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Obsessive love or infatuation of any kind can be detrimental to an individual and the people around them. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The illness is most detrimental in children under 5 years of age and older adults, though the CDC estimates as many as 19 to 21 million people are infected each year. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detrimental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see detriment

Noun

see detriment

First Known Use

Adjective

1590, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of detrimental was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near detrimental

Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detrimental. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

detrimental

adjective
det·​ri·​men·​tal
ˌde-trə-ˈment-ᵊl
: harmful
detrimental effects of drug abuse
detrimentally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental

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