detrimental

[ de-truh-men-tl ]

adjective

1. causing detriment, as loss or injury; damaging; harmful.

noun

1. a detrimental person or thing.

detrimental

/ ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. whenpostpositive, foll by to harmful; injurious; prejudicial

   smoking can be detrimental to health

Derived Forms

• ˌdetriˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• detri·men·tali·ty detri·mental·ness noun
• detri·mental·ly adverb
• nondet·ri·mental adjective
• nondet·ri·mental·ly adverb
• predet·ri·mental adjective
• undet·ri·mental adjective
• undet·ri·mental·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of detrimental¹

First recorded in 1650–60; detriment + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Educators are reeling at McMahon’s appointment, fearing that she will have a detrimental impact on students across the country.

From Salon

While these symptoms do not constitute a disorder diagnosed as psychosis, they can still be disruptive, distressing or detrimental to functional capacity.

From Science Daily

Speckle noise is normally considered detrimental to clear, accurate imaging.

From Science Daily

They’re exacting and skillful at their jobs, but chaos follows and mistakes are made that have detrimental, often deadly, effects.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump made headway among Black male voters that proved detrimental to the vice president's bid, argued Alvin Tillery, a Democratic pollster and founder of the Black Equality Alliance super PAC.

From Salon

Related Words

• adverse
• destructive
• disturbing
• harmful
• hurtful
• inimical
• injurious
• negative
• pernicious
• prejudicial
• unfavorable