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

Gaines and Hein believe they can differentiate the media offering by working with clients to simplify the approach as they believe media planning and buying has become more and more fragmented and disjointed to its detriment.

From Digiday

I’m not convinced that loosening the rules in this way would turn the Games into an ideology-riddled spectacle to the detriment of the athletes.

From Outside Online

She met her challenge but it was to the detriment of completely missing the experience of Antarctica.

From Nautilus

Of course, that may happen anyway if TV networks do not have enough inventory to offer advertisers, and that shift doesn’t have to be to the TV networks’ detriment if they can offer up their streaming inventory.

From Digiday

Supervisor Dianne Jacob asked whether fires north of the region were over-taxing the force to the detriment of Southern California.

From Voice of San Diego

There seems to be so much pressure to reinvent the wheel these days, to a detriment when it comes to TV programming.

From The Daily Beast

But according to Rob Lowe, a man who possesses all of these qualities, being too pretty as an actor is actually a detriment.

From The Daily Beast

On the other hand, if we remain on the same path, then it is—or should be—a huge detriment to his standing.

From The Daily Beast

We take our cultural icons very seriously, often to both their detriment and ours.

From The Daily Beast

In geopolitics, this is where regions or states fracture into smaller, mutually-hostile units to the detriment of all.

From The Daily Beast

Thus will my beloved country be governed, without detriment to the integrity of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

THE angel explains to Mary how, without detriment to her virginity, she will become a mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Securing these, Asia may send over her millions of idol-worshippers without detriment to ourselves.

From Project Gutenberg

He draws to himself rather more than his share of interest and sympathy, to the detriment of the protagonist.

From Project Gutenberg

More than once the Assembly failed in attendance, to the serious detriment of the public.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disadvantage