detrimental

American  

[de-truh-men-tl] / ˌdɛ trəˈmɛn tl /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a detrimental person or thing.

detrimental British  

/ ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. harmful; injurious; prejudicial

   smoking can be detrimental to health

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of detrimental

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

Example Sentences

"Despite only around 3% of all people discharged from hospital experiencing a delay, each delay has a detrimental effect on the individual's physical and mental wellbeing," the report said.

From BBC

But Stokes does not believe McCullum's dual role is having a detrimental effect on the Test team.

From BBC

Long term, he said he doesn’t see that as detrimental to brands or the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Indian perspective was that building significant roads was actually militarily detrimental to them.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Immigration enforcement actions can have detrimental effects on young children, according to the American Immigration Council, and they can be at risk of experiencing severe psychological distress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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