as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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detrimental effects
detrimental behavior
detrimental substances
detrimental aspects
a detrimental disturbance
a disruptive disturbance
a distressing disturbance
an undesirable disturbance
an adverse disturbance
a considerable disturbance
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detrimental
Asked if the rhetoric surrounding Trump’s comments about Greenland have been detrimental to their cause, Kleist paused before answering.
—
Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Parents must recognize the detrimental effects of excessive cellphone use and prioritize after-school activities and homework over screen time.
—Ellen Glickman, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Although three suspensions from the Heat for a pattern of conduct detrimental to the team sidelined him for much of the past two months, Butler kept himself in game shape and will go full speed ahead.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
According to a new study from the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa, plastics are becoming the most prevalent form of pollution in the ocean, which can be detrimental to marine species and their habitat.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Parents must recognize the detrimental effects of excessive cellphone use and prioritize after-school activities and homework over screen time.
—Ellen Glickman, Boston Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Although three suspensions from the Heat for a pattern of conduct detrimental to the team sidelined him for much of the past two months, Butler kept himself in game shape and will go full speed ahead.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
According to a new study from the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa, plastics are becoming the most prevalent form of pollution in the ocean, which can be detrimental to marine species and their habitat.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
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Scientists have found bits of plastic in the ocean that are coated in communities of microorganisms, including harmful bacteria.5 Jayakrishnan said the microplastics in the body may play a similar role, offering a medium for cancer-causing bacteria to grow and disrupt the gut microbiome.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
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Better yet, they can still be used on public lands to sustain local communities in place of harmful industrial extraction.—
TIME,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The cyclone was already bringing heavy rainfall to coastal areas on Saturday, along with damaging winds and storm surges.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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The system brought the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Environmental groups have long opposed the new reservoir and objected to a shorter judicial review, saying the project will release unacceptable amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas, into the air in addition to other adverse impacts.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
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The advertisements also are subject to content restrictions, including no profanity, violence, firearms or material adverse to the city’s commercial interests.—
Devan Patel,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 400-mile race is scheduled to start on Sunday after it was delayed by more than a month due to warm temperatures and a dangerous trail.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2025
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Freezing temperatures can endanger health, particularly of vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, whilst snow can lead to dangerous driving conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Infinitely worse is Kenneth Marshall, the leader of the expedition and the wannabe conqueror of Niflheim.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Read: The internet is worse than a brainwashing machine Trump winning the popular vote in November only amplified this dynamic.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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