detriment

[ de-truh-muhnt ]

noun

1. loss, damage, disadvantage, or injury.
2. a cause of loss or damage.

detriment

/ ˈdɛtrɪmənt /

noun

1. disadvantage or damage; harm; loss
2. a cause of disadvantage or damage

Word History and Origins

Origin of detriment¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English from Middle French, from Latin dētrīmentum “loss, damage,” from dētrī- ( detritus ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of detriment¹

C15: from Latin dētrīmentum, a rubbing off, hence damage, from dēterere to rub away, from de- + terere to rub

Synonym Study

See damage.

Example Sentences

This same conflict between fact-checking and fiction has played out countless times over the past decade, to the detriment of pretty much everyone except the transparent charlatan who is, for the third consecutive election cycle, the Republican presidential nominee.

From Slate

Unless MLB implements a hard salary cap — and also a salary floor, to force teams like the Pirates and A’s to spend more on payroll — baseball’s financial caste system will continue, to the sport’s detriment.

From Los Angeles Times

“I love that they ultimately did that on the reunion,” Coelen said, “But I think it was to their detriment that they didn't do it during the experiment itself.”

From Salon

Even if the law allows for an above-the-line deduction, that might not be worth it for many Americans either, as that could create a risk of someone taking out a car loan to the detriment of their finances.

From Salon

It also redefines harassment as “a landlord’s bad faith conduct” directed at tenants that causes them detriment or harm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disadvantage