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. harmful; injurious; prejudicial

   smoking can be detrimental to health

Other Word Forms

• detrimentally adverb
• detrimentality noun
• detrimentalness noun
• nondetrimental adjective
• nondetrimentally adverb
• predetrimental adjective
• undetrimental adjective
• undetrimentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of detrimental¹

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

Example Sentences

“Call and discuss the detrimental effect of this decision on the health of the children and the health of the public in general,” Alissa said.

From Salon

The EIS general secretary, Andrea Bradley, said the planned cuts would have a "detrimental impact" on staff, students and local communities.

From BBC

A trade union which represents hospital doctors says whistleblowers in the trust have been subjected to "unwarranted scrutiny" and suffered a "detrimental impact on their career".

From BBC

"These studies show that within prescribed diets, consumption of mangoes are not detrimental to blood glucose and may even be beneficial,"

From BBC

Such values and policies have significant negative health, emotional, material and other detrimental outcomes.

From Salon

Related Words

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