Definition of detrimentnext
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as in disadvantage
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 detriment This type of agony is always a detriment to mental health, even more so when someone is already predisposed to instability. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 Resident Mark Youell said the board rightly voted this down and urged the board to continue to reject it, saying the detriments far exceed the benefits. Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026 Keep in mind, though, that options such as the X3’s M Sport package can enhance handling performance at the detriment to ride smoothness. ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 Everyone’s orgasming and no one’s complete, especially — to the series’ greatest detriment — Carol. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
  • Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.
    Lexi Nicklaus, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The guidance states that potential harms in this age group, including false positives, psychological distress, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and radiation exposure, may outweigh the uncertain benefits of screening.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • However, there are disadvantages which include lack of job protection and insufficient wages that cover don’t on-the-job expenses.
    Helen Dennis, Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • Bias asks whether the system perpetuates, amplifies, or introduces systematic disadvantage, including through feedback loops where biased outputs reinforce biased inputs.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • China may also benefit from the reputational damage the war has imposed on the US, Yacoubian said.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
  • The company’s goal is to replace sprinklers, which are effective at stopping fires but can also do significant water damage to a property.
    Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Fuel is one of the largest expenses for airlines.
    Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • The growth in units outpaced Amazon’s fulfillment expenses, which grew 9 percent year over year, as well as outbound shipping costs, which were up 12 percent.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Thunder earned a bit of a break and awaits two teams battling injuries in the Lakers and Rockets.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • In 2015, six Baltimore police officers were charged with felonies ranging from assault to murder in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man who’d suffered a spinal injury while riding in a police van.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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