detriment

American  

[de-truh-muhnt] / ˈdɛ trə mənt /

noun

• detriments
  plural

1. loss, damage, disadvantage, or injury.

2. a cause of loss or damage.

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detriment British  

/ ˈdɛtrɪmənt /

noun

1. disadvantage or damage; harm; loss

2. a cause of disadvantage or damage

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Synonym Usage

See damage.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• detriments
  plural

Etymology

Origin of detriment

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

Explanation

Detriment is the hurt or harm as a result of damage, loss, or a bad decision. The developers won the lawsuit, much to the detriment of the people who live near the construction site. The meaning of detriment has not changed much from its roots in the Latin word, detrimentum, which is "a rubbing off, loss, damage, defeat." A detriment is a loss that wears you down. Smoking is a detriment to good health, as is standing in the snow barefooted. To the detriment of the people who clean the floors, we gave the girls scrambled eggs right before gymnastics class.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

detriment detriments

There have been more leaks to the media than I've ever seen as a journalist and Ahmadzai's defence lawyer highlighted that this could be to the detriment of his presumption of innocence.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

Nonprofit experts interviewed by The Times raised concerns that someone in a position like Croom’s could profit to the detriment of both taxpayers and the people the money is meant to serve.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

That was “to the detriment of diesel and gasoline,” Smith said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

Digital concentration means a more concentrated industry altogether, to the detriment of everyone in the industry ecosystem that’s not named PlayStation.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

“It’s a love of a bonnet, but I prefer the face inside, for it looks young and happy again,” and John kissed the smiling face, to the great detriment of the rosebud under the chin.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

AI certainly has its list of detriments but, surprisingly, ChatGPT didn’t disappoint with its recommendations, tips and menu options.

From Salon ● Nov. 23, 2024

A founder of the Indian National Congress, he expressed the opinions of many middle-class Indians in 1871 when he wrote on the subject of the benefits and detriments of British rule of India.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

"The outcome for Dr Bronckaers is wholly justified, bearing in mind the detriments she has suffered that have not only affected her career, but her family and her financial situation," said John McShane.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2022

Lawmakers are increasingly threatening to regulate the company following revelations from a former employee about internal company research on the detriments of its products.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 19, 2021

They point also to the truth, as I take it to be, that the lack of privacy is one of the most serious detriments of public-school life.

From Lore of Proserpine by Maurice Henry Hewlett

Related Words

• disadvantage