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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
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
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
This agreement does allow sea horses to be traded legally, provided that traders obtain the proper permits and can prove their actions are not detrimental to the creatures’ survival in the wild.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
Moreover, the resultant microplastics are detrimental to the environment and human health.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The substance itself likely has detrimental health effects—such as liver or lung damage, for example—but will also affect the person's relationships and daily life.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025
Unfortunately, beyond the painful stings some can deliver, ants can also have detrimental effects on the garden.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
Moreover, the resultant microplastics are detrimental to the environment and human health.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The substance itself likely has detrimental health effects—such as liver or lung damage, for example—but will also affect the person's relationships and daily life.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025
Unfortunately, beyond the painful stings some can deliver, ants can also have detrimental effects on the garden.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
-
Lights without these certifications may generate harmful byproducts, Taylor notes.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
12 June 2025
-
McFarland is facing charges of solicitation of a minor, transmission of harmful material to a minor and violation of probation.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
More than 50 million people from Mississippi to western New York are under a slight risk Monday of receiving damaging wind, large-sized hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
-
Similarly, the recent court decisions do not change our view that the most economically damaging tariff possibilities have become less likely.—
Jeffrey Schulze,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
He was found guilty of corruption, and he should have been considered a dangerous criminal.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
-
While use of chrysotile asbestos was on the decline, the dangerous mineral has lingered in various gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and some diaphragms used to make sodium hydroxide and chlorine.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has lauded Israel's strikes and previously warned of much worse to come unless Iran quickly accepts the sharp downgrading of its nuclear program the U.S. has demanded in talks that had been due to resume on June 15.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
-
Bane is a 41 percent career 3-point shooter who, in his five prior seasons, never shot worse than 38.1 percent from deep in a season.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share