DETRIMENTAL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'detrimental' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of detrimental are baneful , deleterious , noxious , and pernicious . While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. // the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

Q: When would 'baneful' be a good substitute for 'detrimental'?

While the synonyms baneful and detrimental are close in meaning, baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. // the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

Q: Where would 'deleterious' be a reasonable alternative to 'detrimental'?

The meanings of deleterious and detrimental largely overlap; however, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. // a diet found to have deleterious effects

Q: When can 'noxious' be used instead of 'detrimental'?

The synonyms noxious and detrimental are sometimes interchangeable, but noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. // noxious chemical fumes

Q: When could 'pernicious' be used to replace 'detrimental'?

While in some cases nearly identical to detrimental , pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. // the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

detrimental

adjective

ˌde-trə-ˈmen-tᵊl

Definition of detrimental

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment

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How is the word detrimental different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of detrimental are baneful, deleterious, noxious, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When would baneful be a good substitute for detrimental?

While the synonyms baneful and detrimental are close in meaning, baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

Where would deleterious be a reasonable alternative to detrimental?

The meanings of deleterious and detrimental largely overlap; however, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When can noxious be used instead of detrimental?

The synonyms noxious and detrimental are sometimes interchangeable, but noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

When could pernicious be used to replace detrimental?

While in some cases nearly identical to detrimental, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of detrimental Unfortunately, during the early to mid-twentieth century, negative perceptions of immigrant and ethnic laborers led many outsiders to view their neighborhoods as unsafe, unclean, and detrimental to the social fabric of American cities. — Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026 Pruning can stress them even further, creating a scenario that can be detrimental to your plants. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026 Dauvin warns that piling obligations onto streamers could be detrimental to the French film and television landscape. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 July 2026 Salted pasta water can be detrimental to soil and plant health, and even unsalted water can promote the growth of unwanted fungi. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detrimental

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental

Adjective

The Australian watchdog's claim, filed to the federal court Wednesday, said the unlimited broadcast size of Telegram channels meant the app must take responsibility for culling harmful material.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
During the 2015-16 season, for instance, Dungeness crabs off the coast of California were infected by a harmful algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, which causes domoic acid poisoning in crabs, fish, birds and marine mammals.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Farther north, storms developing across the northern High Plains could bring damaging winds and hail as a cold front moves through parts of the Dakotas and Montana.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 July 2026
The assemblage turned the damaging caricature into a revolutionary hero, and made Saar a star of the Black Arts movement.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

Prices reached record highs over the past two years, triggered by adverse weather conditions and poor cocoa harvests that pushed chocolate costs higher and dampened consumer sentiment.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Potential adverse effects identified by the FDA include heart toxicity, infections, pancreatitis, increased or decreased insulin sensitivity, serious immunoresponses, melanoma and death.

— Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

When atmospheric weather conditions in May drove dangerous pollution levels in Texas, environmental officials urged residents to limit driving and in particular to avoid drive-through lines.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
An unchecked ego further erodes psychological safety, as dismissing feedback signals that team contributions are unwelcome, creating dangerous blind spots.

— Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

The period of military rule has fared worse than previous civilian governments, analysts say, with armed groups increasing their footprint across the country and the Sahel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
At one point, King and backup center Nick Samac had a bad exchange on a shotgun snap.

— Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Definition of bad

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“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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