Synonyms for

Detrimental

Verb / ˌdetrʌˈmentʌl / / ˌdetrʌˈmenʌl / Another word for detrimental — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

causing harm or damage

Synonyms & similar words

prejudicial prejudicious damaging harmful damaging dangerous injurious destructive adverse negative unfavorable unhealthy pernicious toxic poisonous deadly lethal fatal inimical hostile malevolent baleful ill

Synonyms by register

Formal

harmful damaging deleterious pernicious

Informal

bad hurtful ruinous

Literary

baleful noxious

Antonyms

beneficial advantageous helpful positive favorable constructive good

Common collocations

  • detrimental effect
  • detrimental impact
  • detrimental to health
  • detrimental to the environment
  • detrimental consequences
  • detrimental to society
  • detrimental effect on

Word family

noun detriment
adverb detrimentally

Usage note

This word is typically used in formal contexts to describe something that causes harm or damage. It is often followed by the preposition 'to'.

Example sentences

  1. Skipping breakfast every day can be detrimental to your health.
  2. The heavy rain was detrimental to the outdoor concert.
  3. The use of plastic bags is detrimental to the environment.
  4. Watching too much TV can be detrimental to your eyesight.
  5. Stress can be detrimental to your mental health.

Quotes

  • The greatest danger to our future is apathy. - Jane Goodall
  • The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. - Stephen Hawking
  • The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

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